Part 15 (1/2)

”Yes,” came the reply, with the calmness of light. ”Christ would demand it if he were pastor of Calvary Church in this age. The church members, the Christians in this century, must renounce all that they have, or they cannot be his disciples.”

Philip sat profoundly silent. The words spoken so quietly by this creature tossed upon his own soul like a vessel in a tempest. He dared not say anything for a moment. The Brother Man looked over and said at last: ”What have you been preaching about since you came here?”

”A great many things.”

”What are some of the things you have preached about?”

”Well,” Philip clasped his hands over his knees; ”I have preached about the right and wrong uses of property, the evil of the saloon, the Sunday as a day of rest and wors.h.i.+p, the necessity of moving our church building down into this neighborhood, the need of living on a simpler basis, and, lastly, the true work of a church in these days.”

”Has your church done what you have wished?”

”No,” replied Philip, with a sigh.

”Will it do what you preach ought to be done?”

”I do not know.”

”Why don't you resign?”

The question came with perfect simplicity, but it smote Philip almost like a blow. It was spoken with calmness that hardly rose above a whisper, but it seemed to the listener almost like a shout. The thought of giving up his work simply because his church had not yet done what he wished, or because some of his people did not like him, was the last thing a man of his nature would do. He looked again at the man and said:

”Would you resign if you were in my place?”

”No.” It was so quietly spoken that Philip almost doubted if his visitor had replied. Then he said: ”What has been done with the parsonage?”

”It is empty. The church is waiting to rent it to some one who expects to move to Milton soon.”

”Are you sorry you came here?”

”No; I am happy in my work.”

”Do you have enough to eat and wear?”

”Yes, indeed. The thousand dollars which the church refused to take off my salary goes to help where most needed; the rest is more than enough for us.”

”Does your wife think so?” The question from any one else had been impertinent. From this man it was not.

”Let us call her in and ask her,” replied Philip, with a smile.

”Sarah, the Brother Man wants to know if you have enough to live on.”

Sarah came in and sat down. It was dark. The year was turning into the softer months of spring, and all the out-door world had been a benediction that evening if the sorrow and poverty and sin of the tenement district so near had not pervaded the very walls and atmosphere of the entire place. The minister's wife answered bravely: ”Yes, we have food and clothing and life's necessaries. But, oh, Philip! this life is wearing you out. Yes, Brother Man.” she continued, while a tear rolled over her cheek, ”the minister is giving his life blood for these people, and they do not care. It is a vain sacrifice.” She had spoken as frankly as if the old man had been her father. There was a something in him which called out such confidence.

Mr. Strong soothed his wife, clasping her to him tenderly. ”There, Sarah, you are nervous and tired. I am a little discouraged, but strong and hearty for the work. Brother Man, you must not think we regret your advice. We have been blessed by following it.”

And then their remarkable guest stretched out his arms through the gathering gloom in the room and seemed to bless them. Later in the evening he again called for a Bible, and offered a prayer of wondrous sweetness. He was shown to his plainly-furnished room. He looked around and smiled.

”This is like my old home,” he said; ”a palace, where the poor die of hunger.”