Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-05-03


yoom at the side door Of the platform.
This morning he went in at the side
door Of the church after parting with
Sarah and the others. He let Brother
Man and William go on ahead little,
and then, drawing his wife to him, he
stopped and kissed her. He turned at
the top Of the short fight Of steps lead.
ing up to the side entrance and saw
her still standing in the same place.
Then she went around from the little
court to the front Of the church and
went in with the great crowd already
beginning to stream toward Calvary
church.
No one ever saw so many people in
Calvary church before. Men sat on
the platform and even in the deep
window seats. The spaces under the
large galleries by the walls were filled
mostly with men standing there. The
house was crowded long before the
hour of service. There were many
beating, excited hearts in that audi
ence. More than one member felt a
shame at the action which had been
taken and might have wished it recall
ed. With the great number Of work
lngmen and young people in the church
there was only one feeling; it was a
feeling of love for Philip and Of sor-
row for what had been done. The fact
that he had been away from the city,
that he had not talked over the mat
ter with any one owing to his absence,
the uncertainty as to how he would
receive the whole thing, what he
would say on this first Sunday after
the letter had been written-this at
tracted a certain number of persons
who never go inside a church except
for some extraordinary occasion or
In hopes Of a sensation. So the audi,
ence that memorable day had some
cruel people present, people who mar
rowly watch the faces of mourners at
funerals to see what ravages grief has
made on the countenance.
The organist played his prelude
through and was about to stop when
he saw from the glass that hung over
the keys that Mr.. Strong had not yet
appeared. He began again at a GER
tain measure, repeating it, and played
Sery slowly. By this time the church
as entirely filed. There was an air
81 eXpectant waiting as the organ
again ceased, and still Philip did not
come out. A great fear came over
Mrs. Strong. She had half risen from
her seat near the platform to go up
and open the study door when it open
ed, and Philip came out.
Whatever his struggle had been in
that little room the closest observer
could not detect any trace of tears or
sorrow or shame or humiliation. He
was pale, but that was common; other
wise his face wore firm. noble, peace
full look. AS he gazed over the congre-
cation it fell under the fascination of
his glances. The first words that he
spoke in the service were strong and
clear.
He began to speak very quietly and
simply. as isIfashion was, of the fact
that he had been asked to resign his
pastorate of Calvary church. He made
the statement clearly, with no halting
or hesitation or sentiment of tone or
gesture. Then, after saying that there
was only one course open to him under
the circumstances, he went on to speak,
as he said he ought to speak. in defense
Of his Interpretation of Christ and his
teaching:
Members of Calvary church, call
you to bear witness today that have
tried to preach to you Christ and him
Ncrucified. l have doubtless made mis-
takes; we all make them. have Of
Tended the rich men and property own
.ers In Milton. could not help it. ]
was obliged to do so In order to speak
as this moment solemnly believe my
Lord would speak. have aroused op
position because l asked men into the
church and upon this platform who do
not call themselves Christians, for the
purpose Of knowing their reasons for
antagonisrn to the church we love. But
the time has come, o my brothers,
when the church must welcome to its
councils in these matters that affect
the worlds greatest good all men who
have at heart the fulfllment of the
Christ's teachings.
"But the cause which more than any
other has led to the action Of this
church has been, I am fully aware, my
demand that the church members Of
this city should leave their possessions
and go and live with the poor, wretch
ed, sinful, hopeless people in the lower
town, sharing in wise ways with them
of the good things of the world. But
why do speak of all this in defense of
my action or my preaching"
Suddenly Philip seemed to feel re-
.vulsion Of attitude toward the whole
OF what he had been saying. 1t was as
AZ there had instantly swept over him
the knowledge that he could never