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

THE CRUCHX|0N OF PHILIP STRONG. !
By REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,
Author Of In That "Malcou
Robert Hardys Seven Days." Etc.
Publishing Co.
By REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,

the man and said:
would you resign if you were in my
placer"
NO" 1t was so quietly spoken that
Philip almost doubted if his visitor
had replied. Then he said what has
been done with the parsonage?"
"It is empty. The church is waiting
to rent it to some one who expects to
move to Milton soon.'
"Are you sorry you came here?"
"No. l am happy in my work.
"Do you have enough to eat and
wear?'
Eyes, indeed. The thousand dollars
which the church refused to take off
my salary goes to help where most
needed. The rest is more than enough
for u.s."
Does your wife think so?' The
question from any one else had been
impertinent. From this man it was
not.
LET us call her in and ask her, re-
piled Philip, with a smile
Sarah, the Brother Man wants to
know if you have enough to live on"
Sarah came in and sat down. 1t was
dark. The year was turning into the
softer months of spring, and all the
outdoor world had been a benediction
that evening if the sorrow and poverty
and sin of the tenement district so
near had not pervaded the very walls
; and atmosphere of the entire place.
The minister's wife answered brave
y: Eyes, we have food and clothing
and life's necessaries. But, oh, Philip
this life is wearing you out. Yes
Brother Man," she continued, while a
tear rolled over her cheek, the minis
ter is giving his lifeblood for these
people, and they do not care. 1t is a
vain sacrifice She had spoken as
frankly as if the old man had been
her father. There was a something
in him which called out such conf.
lence.
Mr.. Strong soothed his wife, clasping
her to him tenderly. There, Sarah
you are nervous and tired. l am a lit
tie discouraged, pdt strong and hearty
| for the work. Brother Man. you must
not think we regret your advice. Wa
have been blessed by following it."
And then their remarkable guest
stretched out his arms through thf
gathering gloom in the room and seem
ed to bless them. Later in the even
ing he again called for Bible an(
offered a prayer of wOndrous sweet
ness. He was shown to his plainly fur
nished room. He looked around an(
smiled.
This is like my old home" he said
"a palace, where the poor die of hun
ger.''
Philip started at the odd remark
then recollected that the old man hat
once been wealthy, and sometimes il
!. his half dazed condition Philip though
q probable he confounded the humbles
s surroundings with his once luXuriou:
home. He fingered. moment, anC
j the man said, as if speaking to him
t self, IF they do not ~renounce all the.
have, they cannot be my disciples
"Good night, Brother Man, criet
Philip as he went out.
Q Good night, Christ's man. replied
his guest. And Philip went to his res
g that night, great questions throbbin;
g in him and the demands of the Maste
: more distinctly brought to his attention
than ever.
Again, as before when he rose il
the morning, he found that his visito
G was gone. His eccentric movement
j. accounted for his sudden disappear
ances, but they were disappointed. The
@ wanted to see their guest again an
l. question him about his history. The
d promised themselves he would do S
g next time.
The following Sunday Philip preach
o ed one of those sermons which come t
4 a man once or twice in whole minis
Y try 1t was the last Sunday of til
l. month and not u special occasion. Blu
Y, | there had surged into his thought tn
II meaning of the Christian life wit
such uncomfortable power that his SCI
e mon reached hearts never before touch
l. ed. He remained at the close of til
a service to talk with several young meI
Y who seemed moved as never before
n After they had gone away he went int
t, his own room back of the platform t
1t get something he had left there and
his surprise found the church seXto
kneeling down by one of the chairs
u AS the minister came in the man ros
and turned toward him.
Is Mr.. Strong, | want to be Chris
1t tian I want to join the church an
y, lead different life
Is Philip clasped his hand, while teal
II rolled over the mans face. He stat
n and talked with him and prayed wit
Of him. and when he finally went hon
Y, the minister was convinced it was d
Sc strong and true a conversion as he la
ever seen. He at once related the stor
~ to his wife, who had gone on befol
to get dinner.
why, Philip" she exclaimed whe
ut he said the sexton wanted to be bal
tized and unite with the church at II
next communion. Calvary church wi
never allow him to unite with us"'
n "Why not" asked Philip in amaz
le ment.
ss Because he is negro replied h
ut wife.
a Philip stood a moment in silenc
is with his hat in his hand, looking at h
Id wife as she spoke.