The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-05-08

"iHuo" seats. Inc spaces under the
large galleries by the walls were filed
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
ingmen and young people in the church
there was only one feeling; it was
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 certain number of persons
who never go inside a church except
for some extraordinary occasion or
in hopes Of sensation. So the audi
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
very slowly. By this time the church
was entirely filed. There was an air
Of expectant waiting as the organ
again ceased, and still Philip did not
come out. great fear came over
Mrs. Strong. She had half risen from
her seat near the platform to 60 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
ful 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 We're strong and
clear,
He began to speak very quietly and
simply, as his fashion 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, 1 call
you to bear witness today that I have
tried to preach to you Christ and him
crucified. 1 have doubtless made mis-
takes; we all make them. 1 have Of
Tended the rich men and property own
ers in Milton. l could not help it. /
was obliged to do so in order to speak
as this moment solemnly believe my
Lord would speak. I have aroused op.
position because l asked men into the
church and upon this platform who dc
not call themselves Christians, for the
purpose of knowing their reasons for
antagonism 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, 1 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 preachingr
Suddenly Philip seemed to feel a re.
vulsion of attitude toward the whole
Of what he had been saying. 1t was as
If there had instantly swept over him
the knowledge that he could never
make the people before him under.
stand either his motive or his Christ
His speech so far had been quiet, un.
impassiOned, deliberate. His whole
manner now underwent a swift
change. People in the galleries motto.
ed it, and men leaned out far over the
railing, and more than one closed his
hands tight in emotion at the sight and
hearing of the tall figure on the plat.
form.
"Yes," he said, II love you, people
OF Milton, beloved members Of this
church. would have opened my arms
to every child of humanity here and
shown him, if could, the boundless
love of his Heavenly Father But, oh,
We would not! And yet the love of
Christ! What wonderful thing 1t is.
How much he wished us to enjoy of
peace and hope and fellowship and
service! Yes, service-that is what the
world needs today; service that is will.
ing to give all-all to him who gave all
to save us! o Christ, Master, teach us
to do thy will! Make us servants to
the poor and sinful and hopeless. Make
thy church on earth more like thy.
self"
Those nearest Philip saw him sud.
denly raise his handkerchief to his
lips, and then, when he took it away
it was stained with blood. But the
people did not see that. And then, and
then-a remarkable thing took place.
On the rear wall of Calvary church
there had been painted, when the
church was built, Latin cross This
ha1 hoan oc
endless dispute among the church
members. Some said it was inartistic
others said it was in keeping with the
name of the church and had a right
place there as part of it's inner adorn
ment. Once the dispute had grown sc
large and serious that the church had