The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-22
BY REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON.
Author Of I'm HIS Steps; What Would Jesus Dot"
Kirk" Robert Hardys Seven Days." Etc.

The man who sat opposite was coni
what he had 10 say. II was impp sipie
for him To interrupt. Also II wa out
OF the question that man ike MT. Win.
ter should understand a nature IKE ina
OF Philip Strong. lie was white TO the
lips with passion and so excited that ms
hands trembled and his voice shooK ds
"You shall answer for these insults.
sir. I withdraw my church pledge and
you will see whether the business men
i'm the church will sustain such preach
ing" And Mr.. Winter flung himself
out OF the study and down stairs. for
getting TO take his hat. which he had
carried up With him. Philip caught 1t
up and went down stairs with II
reaching him just as he was going out
of the front door. lie said simply
"You forgot you hat. sir" MIR Winter
took II without word and went out
sIammIng the door hard behind him
Philip turned around and there stood
his wife Her face was very anxious.
Tell me all about It, Philip she
said. Sunday evening thay had talked
over the fact OF Mr.. Winters walking
out of the church during the service
and had anticipated some trouble.
Philip related the facts OF Mr.. winters
visit. telling his wife some things the mill
owner had said.
what did you say. Philip to make him
/ f'~N~
your mnd?''
'T,gave him the whole OF it, replied
Philip. somewhat grimy. 'at least all or
il on that particular subject that he
could stand"
"Oh, dear. 1t seems too bad to have
this trouble come so soon. What VIII
Mr. Winter do? He Is very wealthy and
influential DO you thnk-are you sure
that i'm this matter you have done Just
right, just for the best Philip? 1t Is
going TO be very unpleasant for you"
well. Sarah, would not do differently
from what have done. What have
done? have simply preached Gods
truth as l plainly see 1t. to my church.
And IL do not do that. what business
have I In the ministry at allY regret
this personal encounter with Mr. Winter,
but don't see how could avoid IT,"
Did you lose your temper"
"No"
There mas some very loud talking.
could hear IL away in the kitchen"
Well you know Sarah. the more In
dignant | get the less inclined feel to
'holer. II was Mr. Winter you heard.
He was very much excited when he
came. and nothing that / could conscien-
tlously say would have made any differ
ence with him.
Did you ask him to pray over the
matter with your
mo do not think he was in a pray
ing mood"
Were you?"
Philip hesitated moment and then
replied seriously: Yes. 1 truly believe |
was-that is, / should not have been
ashamed al any part of the interview to
put myself into loving communion with
my Heavenly Father"
Mrs Strong still looked disturbed and
anxious, She was going over in her
mind the probable result of Mr.. Winters
antagonism to the minister. II looked TO
her like a very serious thing. Philip was
inclined to treat the affair with calm
philosophy. based on the knowledge that
his conscience was clear OF all fault in
the matter
"what do you suppose Mr.. Winter will
do?" Mrs. Strong asked.
"He threatened TO withdraw his finan-
ciai support and said other paying mem
bers would do the same"
do you think they will?'
II don't know. l shouldn't wonder If
they do
what will you do then7 II will be
dreadful to have a disturbance In the
church OF this kind. Philip. 1t will ruin
your prospects here. You will not be able
To work under all this friction
And the minister's wife suddenly broke
down and had a good cry, while Philip
comforted her, first, by saying two or
three funny things and, secondly. by as
serting with positive cheerfulness
which was peculiar TO him when he was
hard pressed that even II the church
withdrew all support he Philip) could
probably get a job somewhere on rail-
road or In a hotel. where there was al
ways demand for porters who could
walk up several flights OF stairs with a
good sized trunk
Sometimes l almost think I missed my
val ina
about himself in order TO make his wife
come TO the defense. II ought TO have
been a locomotive fireman"
''The idea, Philip Strong! A man who
has the gift OF reaching people with
preaching the way you do
THE way | reach Mr.. Winter. for cx-
ample!'
Yes" said his wife: "the way you
reach him why. the very fact that you
made such man angry Is pretty good
proof that you reached him. Such men
are not touched by any ordinary preach
ing"
$50 you really think have little gift
at preaching?" asked Philip slyly.
"A little gift! IL Is a great deal more
than little. Philip"
Aren't you little prejudiccd Sa-
rah?"
mo. sir. I am the severcst critic Won
ever have In the congregation. VI you
make me, When YOU get started on some
exciting passage and make gesture
that would throw a stone image into 4
NJ and then begin 10 speak of something
An a different way like another person.
and the first ! know am caught mp and
hurled into the subject and forget all
about yau"
Thank you" said Philip
What forP' asked his wife. laughing
r'For forgetting YOU"
II would rather Nc forgotten by YOU
than remembered by any one else" re-
piled Philip CALAMITY. And you arc such
4 delightful little nattcrer that feel
courage for anything that may happen"
Its not nattery. it's truth. Philip.
do believe In YOU and your work. and
am only anxious that YOU should succeed
here. ] can't bear Co think Of trouble I'm
the church. II would almost XIII me 20 -
through such times as we sometimes
read about"
We must leave results 10 Col am
sure we are not responsible for more