The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-17

his arms up. and as he turned a little
forward toward the congregation he was
seen 10 reel and stagger back against
the wall. For one intenr~ tremendous
second of time he stood these with .ae
whole church smitten into plying.
horrifed, startled. motionless crowd of
bianched. staring faces as his tall. dark
figure lowered up with outstretched
arms. almost covering the very outlines
OF the cross, and then he sank down at
Its foot.
A groan went up from the audience.
Several men sprang up the platform
steps. Mrs. Strong was the first per-
son 10 reach her husband. Two or three
helped to bear him 10 the front OF the
platform. Sarah kneeled down by him.
She put her head against his breast.
Then she raised her face and said calm
ly He n dead"
The Brother Man was kneeling on the
other side. NO" he said. with an in
describable gesture and untranslstable in
Election. "he Is not dead He IL living
In the eternal mansions Of glory with his
Lord"
But the news was borne from lip 10
lip. ;'He In dead" And that is the
way men speak OF the body. And they
were right. The body OF Philip was
dead And the Brother Man was right
also. for Philip himself was alive in
glory. and as they bore the tabernacle
day that was all they bore. His soul
was out Of the reach OF humanity's
selhshness and humanity's sorrow.
They said that when the funeral OF
Philip Strong's body was held I'm Mil
ton rugged unfeeling men were seen to
cry like children In the streets. A great
procession. largely made UP OF the poor
and sinful followed him 10 his wintry
grave. They fingered long about the spot.
Finally every one withdrew except Sarah.
who refused TO be led away by her
friends, and William and the Brother
Man. They stood looking down into the
grave.
He was very young to die so soon."
at last Sarah said. with a calmness that
was more terrible than bursts OF grief.
$50 was Christ" replied Brother Man
simply.
But. oh. Philip. Philip. my beloved.
they killed him" she cried. And at
last. for she had not wept yet. great
tears rolled down into the grave. and
uncomfortable anguish seized her.
Brother Man did not attempt TO con-
sole or interrupt. He knew she was In
the arms OF God After a long time he
said. Yes. they crucihed him. But he Is
with his Lord now. Let US be glad for
him. Let US leave him with the Eter-
nal Peace"
When the snow had melted from the
hillside and the first arbutus was be-
ginning to bud and even blossom. one
day some men came out to the grave
and put UP a plain stone at the head.
After the men had done this work they
went away. One Of them fingered. lie
was the wealthy mill owner. He stood
with his hat In his hand and his head
bent down. his eyes resting on the
words carved into the stone. They were
these:
PHILIP STRONG
Pastor OF Calvary Church.
In the cross Of Christ / glory,
Towering Ger the wrecks OF time;
All the light OF sacred story
Gathers round
Mr.. Winter looked at the incomplete
line and then. as he turned away and
walked slowly back down into Milton.
he said: Yes. IL il better so We must
finish the rest for him
All. Philip Strong! The sacrifice was
not In vain. The resurrection is not far
from the crucifxion.
Near to its close rolls up the century.
And still the church OF Christ upon the
earth
Which marks the Christmas Of his low
" birth
Contains the selfish scribe and Pharisee.
o Christ of God. exchanging gain for loss,
Would men still nail thee to the selfish
cross?
1t is the Christendom OF time and still
Wealth and the love OF IL hold potent
sway;
The heart of man is stubborn TO obey
The church has yet TO do the Masters
will
o Christ of God we bow our souls TO
thee:
Hasten the dawning end OF thy church |
TO be way,
THE END.