Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-01-03
CHAPTER Ill.

CHAPTER Ill.
81 have come to see you about your
sermon Of yesterday morning" began
Mr.. Winter abruptly. 81 consider
what you said was a direct Insult to
me personally"
Suppose should say 1t was not so
intended" replied Philip, with good
natured smile.
Then l should say you lied"' replied
Mr.. Winter sharply.
Philip sat very still. And the two
men eyed each other in silence for
moment. The minister reached out his
hand and laid it OH the others arm.
saying as he did so: my brother, you
certainly did not come into my house
to accuse me unjustly Of wronging
you? am willing to talk the matter
over in a friendly spirit, but will not
listen to personal abuse"
There was something in the tone and
manner of this declaration that sub
dued the mill owner little. He was
an older man than Philip by 20 years,
but a man Of quick and ungoverned
temper. He had come to see the min
lister while in a heat Of passion, and
the way Philip received him. the calm
ness and dignity Of his attitude,
thwarted his purpose. He wanted to
find a man ready to quarrel Instead
he found man ready to talk reason.
Mr.. Winter replied, after pause. dur
ing which he controlled himself by a
great effort:
81 consider that you purpose!y select
ed me as guilty of conduct unworthy
q church member and Christian and
made me the target Of your remarks
Yesterday And | wish to say that such
preaching will never do in Calvary
church while | am one of its mem
berS."
"Of course you refer to the matter
of renting your property to saloon men
and to halls for gambling and other
evil uses" said Philip bluntly. Are
YOU the only member Of Calvary
church who lets his property for such
purposes?"
1T is not a preachers business to
Dry into the affairs Of his church men,
bersr' replied Mr.. Winter. growing
more excited again. THAT is what
object to-
"ln the first place. Mr.. Winter" said
Philip steadily. let us settle the right
and wrongs Of the whole business. Is
il right for Il Christian man. church
member. 10 rent his property for Sa-
looms and vicious resorts where human
life is rui:!ed?
That is not the question.
What !S:" Philip asked. with his
eyes wide open to the others face.
MIR. Wirter answered sullenly: THE
question is whether our business af-
fairs. those OF other men with me. are
to be dragged into the Sunday church
services and made the occasion of per.
sonal attacks upon us. | for one VIII
not sit and listen to any such preach
ing"
"Rut aside from the matter Of prl-
vate business. Mr. Winter. let us settle
whether what you ana others are doing
is right Will you let the other matter
rest n moment and tell me what is the
duty of q Christian in the use OF his
property"
cit is my property. and if | or my
agent choose to rent it to another man
in a legal. business way. that is my af-
fair. do not recognize that you have
ANYTHING - do with ii.
Not if | am convinced that you are
doing what is harmful TO the COM
munity and the church,"
You have no business to meddle in
our private affairs" replied Mr.. Will
ter angrly. And if you intend to pur-
sue that method of preaching shall
withdraw my support. and most of the
influential. paying members will follow
my example"
1t was cowardly threat on the part
Of the excited mill owner. and ii reused
Philip more than if he had been phys.
ically slapped in the face. II there
was anything in all the world that STIR
red Philip to his oceanic depths OF
feeling. ii was an intimatiOn that he
ary. and so must be afraid of losing the
SUPPORT Of those members who were
able to pay largely. He clinchcd his
fingers around the arms of his study
chair until his nails bent on the hard
wood. His ScOrn and indignation burn
ed in his face. although his voice was
calm enough.
"Mr. Winter this whole affair is q
matter of the most profound principle
with me. AS long as live shall be.
lieve that Christian man has no more
right to rent his property for saloon
than he has to run saloon himself,
And as long as live ! shall also be-
lieve that it Is minister's duty to
preach to his church plainly upon mat
ters which bear upon the right and
wrong of life no matter what is in
volved In those matters. Are money
nu1 hn,lSrS and luuIs uf Slch Il Cll:Ir;lc-