The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-07

| wish him--a temperate, INDUSTRIOUS mou'
/ est. quiet workman, a Christian believer
asking us TO receive him at the commu-
| Mon table OF our Lord. There is no
church for his own people here. On what
| possible pretext can the church refuse to
| admit him?'
you do not know some OF the MEM
! bers of Calvary church. Mr. Strong. III
| you ask such a question. There Is a
very strong prejudice against the negro
! I'm many families This prejudice is es-
peclally strong just at this time owing
| to several acts of depreciation committed
| by the negroes living down near the rail-
road tracks. don't believe IL would he
wise 10 present this name just now"
Deacon Stearns appeared TO speak for the
committee. all of whom murmured assent
In one form or another.
"And yet" said Philip, reused TO sud
den heat OF Indignation, "and yet what
is Calvary church doing to help 10 make
those men down by the railroad tracks
any better? Are we concerned about
them at all except when our coal or wood
or clothing Is stolen or some one Is held
up down there? And when one of them
knocks at the door of the church can we
calmly and coldly shut ii in his face
simply because God made IL a different
color from ours?" Philip stopped and
then finished by saying very quietly.
Brethren. do you think Christ would re-
ceive this man into the church,
There was no reply for a moment. Then
Deacon Stearns answered: Brother
Strong we have 10 dea. with humanity
as il is. You cannot make people all
ovec. This prejudice exists and some
times We may have &c respect 1t in order
to avoid greater trouble l know
families In the church who will certainly
withdraw II the sexton is voted in as "A
member And still /" said the old deacon.
with a sigh. IL believe Christ would re-
ceive him into his church"
Before mucn more could be said the
different applicants came. and as the GUS
tom was, after a brief talk with them
about their purpose in uniting with the
church and their discipleship, they with
drew aad-the committee formally acted
on the names for presentation TO tho
church The name OF Henry Roland. the
sexton, was finally reported unfavorably.
three of the committee voting against
Il, Deacon Stearns al last voting with the
minister 10 present the sections name
with the others.
Now, brethren" said Philip. with
sad smile. as they rose to go, you know
I have always been very frank in all our
relations together. and ] am going to
present the sections name TO the church
Thursday night and let the church vote
on il I'm spite of the action here tonight.
You know we have only recommending
power The church Is the final au-
thority, and II may accept or reject any
names W. present ! cannot rest salts
fled until we know the verdict OF the
church In the matter"
Brother Strong" said one OF the COM
mittee who had been opposed TO the sex
ton. ''you are right as tn the extent OF
our authority, but there Is no question
ir,p ind ne IN tho ~ tho =
ter. IL Is question OF expedlency. I
do not have any feeling against the SEX
| ton, but I think ID would he very uuwise
to receive him into membership and do
| not believe the church will receive him. Ii
you present the name, you do so on your
! own responsibility"
with mine" said Deacon Stearns. lie
was the last to shake hands with the
| minister. and his warm. strong grasp
/ gave Philip a sense Of fellowship that
thrilled him with a sense of courage and
companionship very much needed lie al
| once went up TO his study after the com.
| mittce was gone. Mrs. Strong, coming uy
to sec him later found him, as she Of
ten did now. on his knees In prayer. All
| thou follower OF Jesus i'm this century
what but thy prayers shall strengthen
thy soul i'm the strange days TO come?
Thursday evening was stormy.
I DtHNN ram ndU S'l III Oflpfe udTk. dUt
! n high wind blew great sheets OF water
| through the streets and ratified loos,
boards and shingles about tho tenements
Philip would not let his wife go out
| 1t was too stormy. So he went his way
| alone. somewhat sorrowful at heart al
| he contemplated the prospect OF small
attendance on what he had planned
should be an important occasion.
However, some OF the best members o
4
werc i'm sympathy with Philip and hi
methods were In the majority of thos
present. and that led TO an unexpecte,
result when the names OF the applicant
for membership came before the churcl
for action.
Philip read the list approved by tn
committee and then very simply, but pow
fully. told the sections story and the re
fusal OF tho committee TO recommend hin
for membership.
Now. I do not see how we can shu
this disciple OF Jesus out OF his church.
concluded Philip. And wish To prcsen
him 10 this church for its action. n
is a Christian. he needs our help and on
| fellowship. and as Christian believers
as disciples OF the Man of all the rae,
as those who believe that there il To be n
distinction OF souls hereafter that sha
separate them by prejudice I hope yo
I VIII vote 10 receive TINS Drotner IN Chris
to our membership"
The voting on new members was don
by ballot When the ballots were all I
and counted. u was annouced that a
whose names were unanimously clectc
except that OF the sexton. There were
' votes against him. bat 26 for him. an
Philip declared that according to tho cor
stitution OF the church he was duly elect
cd. The meeting thcn went on I'm IN
usual manner characteristic OF prepsl
atory service Tho sexton had been pre-,
ert in tho back part Of the room. and a
the close OF tho meeting. after all IN
rest had gone he and Philip had n lon
talk together. When Philip rcache
home. he and Sarah had another Ion
talk on TIE same subject. what that wa
we cannot tell until VIC come 10 recor
the events OF the communion Sunday.
day that stood out In Philips memor
like one Of the bleeding palms OF his Mas
t-r. 9lcrced with sorrow. but eloquen
with sacrifice.
Cro be 'Contlnued)
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