Part 16 (1/2)

”That is not the question with me. Would Christ tell Calvary Church that the man ought to be admitted? That is the question. I believe He would,” added Philip, with his sudden grasp of practical action. And Mrs. Strong knew that settled it with her husband.

It was the custom in Calvary Church for the church committee on new names for members.h.i.+p to meet at the minister's house on the Monday evening preceding the preparatory service. At that service all names presented by the committee were formally acted upon by the church. The committee's action was generally considered final, and the voting was in accordance with the committee's report.

So when the committee came in that evening following the Sunday that had witnessed the conversion of the s.e.xton, Philip had ready a list of names, including several young men. It was a very precious list to him.

It seemed almost for the first time since he came to Milton as if the growing opposition to him was about to be checked, and finally submerged beneath a power of the Holy Spirit, which it was Philip's daily prayer might come and do the work which he alone could not do. That was one reason he had borne the feeling against himself so calmly.

Philip read the list over to the committee, saying something briefly about nearly all the applicants for members.h.i.+p and expressing his joy that the young men especially were coming into the church family. When he reached the s.e.xton's name he related, simply, the scene with him after the morning service.

There was an awkward pause then. The committee was plainly astonished.

Finally one said: ”Brother Strong, I'm afraid the church will object to receiving the s.e.xton. What is his name?”

”Henry Roland.”

”Why, he has been s.e.xton of Calvary Church for ten years,” said another, an older member of the committee, Deacon Stearns by name. ”He has been an honest, capable man. I never heard any complaint of him. He has always minded his own business. However, I don't know how the church will take it to consider him as an applicant for members.h.i.+p.”

”Why, brethren, how can it take it in any except the Christian way?”

said Philip, eagerly. ”Here is a man who gives evidence of being born again. He cannot be present to-night when the other applicants come in later, owing to work he must do, but I can say for him that he gave all evidence of a most sincere and thorough conversion; he wishes to be baptized; he wants to unite with the church. He is of more than average intelligence. He is not a person to thrust himself into places where people do not wish him--a temperate, industrious, modest, quiet workman, a Christian believer asking us to receive him at the communion 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 members of Calvary Church, Mr. Strong, if you ask such a question. There is a very strong prejudice against the negro in many families. This prejudice is especially strong just at this time, owing to several acts of depredation committed by the negroes living down near the railroad tracks. I don't believe it would be wise to present this name just now.” Deacon Stearns appeared to speak for the committee, all of whom murmured a.s.sent in one form or another.

”And yet,” said Philip, roused to a sudden heat of indignation; ”and yet what is Calvary Church doing to help to 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 are 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 it in his face, simply because G.o.d made it a different color from ours?” Philip stopped and then finished by saying very quietly: ”Brethren, do you think Christ would receive this man into the church?”

There was no reply for a moment. Then Deacon Stearns answered: ”Brother Strong, we have to deal with humanity as it is. You cannot make people all over. This prejudice exists and sometimes we may have to respect it in order to avoid greater trouble. I know families in the church who will certainly withdraw if the s.e.xton is voted in as a member. And still,” said the old deacon, with a sigh, ”I believe Christ would receive him into His Church.”

Before much more could be said, the different applicants came, and as the custom was, after a brief talk with them about their purpose in uniting with the church, and their disciples.h.i.+p, they withdrew and the committee formally acted on the names for presentation to the church.

The name of Henry Roland, the s.e.xton, was finally reported unfavorably, three of the committee voting against it, Deacon Stearns at last voting with the minister to present the s.e.xton's name with the others.

”Now, brethren,” said Philip, with a sad smile, as they rose to go, ”you know I have always been very frank in all our relations together. And I am going to present the s.e.xton's name to the church Thursday night and let the church vote on it in spite of the action here to-night. You know we have only recommending power. The church is the final authority. And it may accept or reject any names we present. I cannot rest satisfied until we know the verdict of the church in the matter.”

”Brother Strong,” said one of the committee, who had been opposed to the s.e.xton, ”you are right as to the extent of our authority. But there is no question in my mind as to the outcome of the matter. It is a question of expediency. I do not have any feeling against the s.e.xton. But I think it would be very unwise to receive him into members.h.i.+p, and I do not believe the church will receive him. If you present the name, you do so on your own responsibility.”

”With mine,” said Deacon Stearns. He was the last to shake hands with the minister, and his warm, strong grasp gave Philip a sense of fellows.h.i.+p that thrilled him with a sense of courage and companions.h.i.+p very much needed. He at once went up to his study after the committee was gone. Mrs. Strong, coming up to see him later, found him as she often did now, on his knees in prayer. Ah, thou follower of Jesus in this century, what but thy prayers shall strengthen thy soul in the strange days to come?

Thursday evening was stormy. A heavy rain had set in before dark and a high wind blew great sheets of water through the streets and rattled loose boards and s.h.i.+ngles about the tenements. Philip would not let his wife go out; it was too stormy. So he went his way alone, somewhat sorrowful at heart as he contemplated the prospect of a small attendance on what he had planned should be an important occasion.

However, some of the best members of the church were out. The very ones that were in sympathy with Philip and his methods were in the majority of those present, and that led to an unexpected result when the names of the applicants for members.h.i.+p came before the church for action.

Philip read the list approved by the committee, and then very simply but powerfully told the s.e.xton's story and the refusal of the committee to recommend him for members.h.i.+p.

”Now, I do not see how we can shut this disciple of Jesus out of His Church,” concluded Philip. ”And I wish to present him to this church for its action. He is a Christian; he needs our help and our fellows.h.i.+p; and, as Christian believers, as disciples of the Man of all the race, as those who believe that there is to be no distinction of souls hereafter that shall separate them by prejudice, I hope you will vote to receive this brother in Christ to our members.h.i.+p.”

The voting on new members was done by ballot. When the ballots were all in and counted it was announced that all whose names were presented were unanimously elected except that of the s.e.xton. There were twelve votes against him, but twenty-six for him, and Philip declared that, according to the const.i.tution of the church, he was duly elected. The meeting then went on in the usual manner characteristic of preparatory service. The s.e.xton had been present in the back part of the room, and at the close of the meeting, after all the rest had gone, he and Philip had a long talk together. When Philip reached home he and Sarah had another long talk on the same subject. What that was we cannot tell until we come to record the events of the Communion Sunday, a day that stood out in Philip's memory like one of the bleeding palms of his Master, pierced with sorrow but eloquent with sacrifice.

CHAPTER XVI.

The day was beautiful, and the church as usual crowded to the doors.

There was a feeling of hardly concealed excitement on the part of Calvary Church. The action of Thursday night had been sharply criticised. Very many thought Philip had gone beyond his right in bringing such an important subject before so small a meeting of the members; and the prospect of the approaching baptism and communion of the s.e.xton had drawn in a crowd of people who ordinarily stayed away from that service.