The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-08

ceased
without another word he stepped
down from tho platform and began 20
read the list OF those who had been re-
ceivcd into church membership. He had
almost reached the end OF IL when per-
son whose name was called last rose
from his seat near the front. where all
the newly received members were in the
habit OF sitting together. and turning
partly around as TO face the congre-
cation and still address Philip. he said:
MIR. Strong. I do not feel as II. after
what has taken place here this morn
ing. | could unite with this church. This
man who has been excluded from church
membership is the son OF woman born
into slavery on the estate OF one OF my
relatives. That slave woman once nursed
her master through a terrible illness and
saved his life. This man. her son. was
then n little child But In the strange
changes that have gone on since the war
the son OF the old master has been re-
duced TO poverty and obliged TO work
for a living. He is now In this town.
He Is this very day lying upon a sick
bed In the tenement district And this
black man has for several weeks out Of
his small earnings helped the son OF
his mothers master and cared for him
through his illness with all the devotion
OF a friend.
II have only lately learned these facts
But. knowing them as l do and believing
that he Is as worthy 10 sit about this
table as any Christian here, / cannot
reconcile the rejection with my own pur-
pose To unite here. | therefore desire TO
Withdraw my applica ton for membership
here. Mr. Strong. ! desire to be bap-
tiZed and partake of the communion as
a disc>'le Of Christ simply not as a
member OF Calvary church. Can do so?''
Philip replied In choking voice, "You
cam The man sat down. 1t was not
the place for any demonstration but
again from the gallery came slight
but distinct note Of applause. As before.
IL instantly subsidized as Philip looked up.
For moment every one held his breath
and waited for the minister's action
Philips face was pale and stern What
his sensitive nature suffered In that mo-
ment no one ever knew. not even his
wife, who almost started from her seat
fearing that he was about TO faint For
a moment there was a hesitation about
Philips manner unusual that some
thought he was going to leave the church
But he quickly called on his will to as
sert It's power. and. taking up the reg
ular communion service, he calmly took
charge OF II as II nothing out Of the way
had occurred. He did not even aIlude
To the mornings incident in his prayers.
Fhilip they certainly could find no fault
with his self possession. His conduct
OF the service on that memorable Sunday
was admira BILE.
When IL was over he was surrounded
by different ones who had taken part
either for or against the sexton There
was much said about the matter. But
ments on the affair could not remove the
heartache from Philip. He could not
the spirit of the church's Master. Jesus.
and when he finally reached home and
calmly reviewed the events OF the morn
the dSnrsS % sna more er sns n,s seyed for
ed TO him that n great mistake had been
made. and that Calvary church had dis
graced the name OF Christianity.
As he had been In the habit OF doing
since he moved into the neighborhood
OF the tenements. Philip went out in the
afternoon to visit the sick and the sor-
rowful, row ,,,n Ine shutting down OF the mills
on some Jew few Of ' the miils fhSrns had spsnes ea%t
and ads,,I,. men had found work in them at a
of the enforced idleness OF thousands OF
| men In Milton during the eventful win
yer yer would make large volume OF thrill
on this other. He had grown rapidly ia
miliar with the different phases OF life
which loafed and idled and drank itself
|
Hundreds OF men drifted away 10
other places In search OF work
Almost as many more had taken TO the
| road 10 swell the ever increasing number
or professional tramps and in time To de-
| Nelop into petty thieves and criminals
But those who remained had a desperate
at heart as he went among the people and
saw the complete helplessness the utter
enhancement OF sympathy and commu-
nifty Of feeling between the church people
and these representatives OF the physics
labor OF the world. Every time he went
out 10 DO his visiting this feeling deepen
particular IL seemed to him as II the de-
| preston and encouragement OF the tene-
ment district weighed on him like a
great burden. bearing him down to the
earth with sorrow and heartache.
He had been IN the habit OF going out
TO communion Sunday, with the emblems
sides of the aged or III or those who
could not get out TO church. lie carried
with him this time basket containing
a part Of the communion service. After
going 10 the homes OF one or two invalid
| church members he thought OF the per.
son who had been mentioned by the man
district and In critical condition lie
had secured his address, and after a little
inquiry he soon found himself In a part
OF the tenements near 10 him
lie climbed m three flights Of stairs
by the sexton. lie greeted Philip witt
1 ElAu SuFprlse.
The minister smiled sadly
80. my brother. II Is true YOU are
serving your MSster here7 Nv heart II
grieved az the action ~ the church mi:
morning"
Don't say ANYTHING. Mr.. Strong Yo,
did all YOU could, but YOU are Just "
time 10 see him The sexton pointed
into a small hack room. He is COINS
| fast. 7 didn't suppose he was 40 near
I woub have asked you 10 come hut
didn't think he was failing SO"
Philip followed the sexton into the
room The son Of the old slave master
was sinking rapidly. lie was conscious
however. and at Philips quiet question
| concerning his peace with God smile
passed over his face and ne moved his
lips Philip understood him. a sudden
thought occurred 10 Philip. lie opened
the basket. took out the bread and wine
set them on the small table and said
Disciple OF Jesus. would you like to
/ partake OF the blessed communion once
more before you see the king IN h.s
| glory?"
The gleam OF satisfaction in the man.
/ eyes told Philip enough. The sex
ton said I'm n low voice "lIe belonged 20