Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-01
the Facts would teach them to do some.

mot necessarily. But the cultured,
wealthy people in our churches as a
rule know absolutely nothing from per-
sonal knowledge of the horrors of city
life. They never 60 outside the little
circle of the respectable, comfortable
and in many cases luxurious conditions
into which they were born. I am con-
WINGED that IL 500 Of the best business
men in the churches Of this city could
see the things I have seen within the
last two weeks, and know the facts
that every resident In Hope House
knows like the alphabet. the present
awful wrongs would not be permitted
in the city. The Christ method was
personal familiarity with sinful con-
ditions. He was Saviour because ne
himself knew the sinner. The weak
ness Of the church lies in the fact that
it has dropped out so largely the per-
sonal factor and exists too much for
It's own religious life in It's elaborate
church services. which in so many
cases have ITO other meaning than
pride and vainglory of the partici-
pants. But forget myself" Gordon
smiled sadly. 81 am not fit TO criti-
else the church, who for SO many
years dshonored her with lip service
and formal worship"
"You have as much right to criticise
her as any Christian if you do it in the
right spirit" Falmouth said gently.
Then he added: LET us have prayer
together before you go. We need to
ask forgiveness for many things and
wisdom for everything"
So the two men knceled while the
minister prayed. 1t was Il good strong
sturdy prayer that did John Gordon
good. There was no whining. no cant
no complaining. An honest heart plea
for more strength. more tolcration
more faith. more love, more patience
and Gordon, after "A hearty handshake
went out and back to Hope House
where he had agreed to meet Falmouth
and the singers little before 3 o'clock
At 3 o'clock Bowen street was fully
aware that something unusual was
taking place. A funeral in Bower
street was as q rule an informal affair
in which the immediate neighbors were
alphabetically interested. But this af
fair of the dcformcd Louie Caylol
promised unusual developments Wore
had gone around that Tommy Randall
had been temporarily "downcd" in /
'sct to" with one of the gents from
Hope House. but that before the funer
al D. lao 20, a..
pile, SO to speak. and everybody salts
fled. SO Bowen street poured into tn,
court OF No. 81 and choked the narrow
stairways and back yards commanding
possible view of the funeral party.
When John Gordon, Falmouth ant
the street, the amazemcnt of the diff
fcrent members Of the choir had givcl
way to an expression Of disgust min
slcd with actual fear
For PHYS sake. Mr. Falmouth
where are you taking us?" exclaimed
the tenor. distinguished looking man
well known in musical circles as
growing singer at fashionable recop
tons The soprano, young woman o
some beauty. and the alto. little older
but n woman of real strength OF OK
| preston, drew closer together as tn
miscellaneous crowd OF Bowen stree
pressed nearer and the real horror o
| the place began TO make itself felt
! The gentleman who sang bass wa
with John Gordon and was looking a
him with a look OF intense indignation
as if he We're the real cause of bringing
the party into the place.
do you wish to 20 back? You cal
il you WISH Falmouth said quietly.
NO, no; but this is horrible, 1t I
past all belief. Is it safe for the ladies
VIII they be able
perfectly safe, ladies'" John Gordol
spoke with touch Of grimness. pee
pie are born and live and die here
Safe enough, l assure YOU
He led the way promptly. asking tn
people to give them room. How tn
quartet ever lived to get up that stair
case where Mr.. Marsh nearly fainte
no one can tell except themselves. Tn
soprano said afterward that It was
miracle that any Of them ever cam
out of. 1t alive. And her Indignation a
the Rev. Paul Falmouth was so dee
that nothing but financial considera
tons could induce her to sing in tn
Rev. Falmouth's church again.
The corridor in front Of Mrs. Caylor'
was packed almost solid with vi
washed humanity, although everybod
was dressed in the best garments h
possessed. Tommy Randall was o
hand as general manager. He was OF
sequious and even seemingly fawnin
to the Rev Paul Falmouth. He spok
good naturally to Gordon and CAV
everybody the impression that tn
whole arrangement was of his ow
planning. And in fact th0t night whe
Gordon ran over all the incidents O
that remarkable day he almost smile
to think that Tommy Randall ha
scored triumph with Louie's funcrs
as the background.
The quartet sat out in the corridor
and the minister stood In the doolAva
where he could be heard by the crow
in the rooms and outside. The thre
rooms were TANNED with promise,
Gus mob that was packed into ever
conceivable corner and left the under
taker and Tommy Randall merely ROOF
enough to squeeze themselves in clos
up by the cofiin. Gordon was assigne
n place by Mrs. Caylor Out on tn
roofs that commanded view OF til
minister and the singers motle
orowd of ohildron hove vnunu mn