The Crucifixion of Philip Strong

ay morning," began Mr. Winter, abruptly. "I consider

not so intended," replied Phi

you lied!" replied

aid it on the other's arm, saying as he did so, "My brother, you certainly did not come into my house to accuse me unjus

ngoverned temper. He had come to see the minister while in a heat of passion, and the way Philip received him, the calmness and dignity of his attitude, thwarted his purpose.

ber and a Christian, and made me the target of your remarks yesterday. And I wish to

d to halls for gambling and other evil uses," said Philip, bluntly. "Are you

airs of his church-members!" replied Mr. Winter, gro

and wrongs of the whole business. Is it right for a Christian man, a church-member

not the q

, with his eyes wide op

her men with me, are to be dragged into the Sunday church-services, and made the occasio

er what you and others are doing is right. Will you let the other matter rest a

to another man in a legal, business way, that is my affai

are doing what is harmful to t

to meddle in our priva

f you intend to pursue

ort, and most of the inf

low my e

d Philip to his oceanic depths of feeling, it was an intimation that he was in the ministry for pay or the salary, and so must be afraid of losing the support of those members who were able to

has no bearing on moral questions, and they are therefore to be left out of the preaching material of the pulpit? It is my conviction that many men of property in this age are coming to regard their business as separate and removed from God and all relation to Him. The business men of to-day do not regard their property as God's. They always speak of it as theirs. And they resent any 'interference,' as you call it, on the part of the pulpit. Nevertheless, I say it plainly, I regard the renting of thes

he was roused as he was now he spoke with a total disregard for all coming consequences. For the time being he felt as perha

was out of the question that a man like Mr. Winter should understand a nature like that of Philip Strong. The mill-owner sprang to his feet as s

flung himself out of the study and downstairs, forgetting to take his hat, which he had carried up with him. Philip caught it up and went downstairs with it, reaching him

d there stood his wife.

Winter's walking out of the church during the service, and had anticipated some trouble. Phili

make him so angry? Did you g

p, somewhat grimly-"at least all of it on t

bad to have this trouble

ry wealthy and influent

r you have done just ri

ng to be very unp

d God's truth, as I plainly see it, to my church. And if I do not do that, what business have I in the

lose your

N

talking. I could hear it

ller.' It was Mr. Winter you heard. He was very much excited when he came, and n

to pray over the

hink he was in

re

lieve I was-that is, I should not have been ashamed at any part of the

ter's antagonism to the minister. It looked to her like a very serious thing. Philip was inclined to treat th

Mr. Winter will do?

nancial support, and said other p

think th

I shouldn't won

ce in the church of this kind, Philip; it will ruin your prospe

g, with a positive cheerfulness which was peculiar to him when he was hard pressed, that, even if the church withdrew all support, he (Philip) could probably g

purposely talking about himself in order to make his wife com

ho has the gift of reaching peopl

ch Mr. Winter,

t that you made such a man angry is pretty good proof that you

ve a little gift at preac

a great deal more th

little preju

t started on some exciting passage and make a gesture that would throw a stone image into a fit, and then begin to speak of something

ou," sai

is wife, laughing.

se," replied Philip, gallantly. "And you are such a delightful li

only anxious that you should succeed here. I can't bear to think of trouble in the c

responsible for more than our utmost doing and liv

l disheartened by t

t Mr. Winter's threat of withdrawing his support; but I don't feel

eform everything in a week, or expect people to grow their wing

d Philip, with a laugh.

re dragging

d twice in the same place, kissed his wife, and went out to make the vis

g in Milton. When the evening paper came out it described in sensational paragraphs the Reverend Mr. Strong's attack on the wealthy sinners of his own church, and went on to say that the church "was very much wr

at is without question an unchristian use of property? What is the meaning of the church in society unless it is just that? Is it possible

was conscious as the days went on that trouble was brewing for him. This hurt him in a

sation fed, and Philip had not given it anything of the kind. In another way it was profoundly moved by the power and sweetness of Philip's unfolding of the great subject. Men who had not been inside of a church for years went away thoughtfully impressed with the old truth of God's love, and asked themselves what they had done to deserve it-the very thing that Philip wanted them to

other absences on the part of men who had been constant attendants on the Sunday services. He felt, without hearing it, that a great deal was being said in oppositio