The Crucifixion of Philip Strong

as his habit was when his outside work was done for the day, he threw himself down on a couch by the open fire. H

at heart with the sight and knowledge of

rry it all on your

er. Only, his reply was like a great sob of conviction that

ot say anything f

you take it too s

ha

wrongs. You are

the eternal kingdom if I do not do what I can to save him! Oh, how can men be s

But what has stirred you up so this time?" Mrs. Strong understood Philip well enough to know that some partic

ands over his knee with the eager earnestnes

r less degree in the entire State and throughout the country and even the world. People are suffering to-day in this town for food and clothing and fuel through no fault of their own. The same thing is true of thousands and even hundreds of thousands all over the world. It is an age that calls for heroes, martyrs, servants, saviors. And right here in this town, where distress walks

with a fine gesture, and sunk

" The minister's wife

o. But I tell you, Sarah, it takes no prophet to see that a man who is hungry and out of work is a dangerous man to have around. And it takes no extraordinary-sized heart to swell a little with righteous wrath when

you know

e couch-"any one of them will cost in the neighborhood of one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars. Look here! Here's the Goldens' party-members of Calvary Church. They will spend at least twenty-five to

l this money spent. Surely that is a

s who are least in need of it. I say that Christian people and members of churches have no right to ind

he would no

ication of those senses which a man can live without. In this age of the world society ought to dispense with some of its accustomed pleasures and deny itself for the sake of the great suffering, needy world. Instead of that, the members of the very Church of Christ on earth spend more in a single evening's entertainment for people wh

old fast since coming to Milton. And a presentiment of evil would, in spite of her na

ch on it, a

d on difficult ground when

a dove, although I must confess I never knew just exactly

to the dismay of several members of his church who were in the habit o

that he was not preaching on the subject now. It was a question which went deeper than that, and took hold

, food and dress will give. But he would say that it is an unnecessary enjoyment and expense at this particular crisis through which we are passing. He would say that money and time should be given where people more in need of them might have the benefit. He would say that when a town is in the situation of ours today it is not a time for any selfish use for any material blessing. Unless I mistake the spirit of the modern Christ, if he were here he would preach to the whole world the necessity of a far simpler, less expensive style of living, and, above all, actual self-denial on the part of society for the Brotherhood of man. What is society doing now? What sacrifice is it m

Mrs. Golden, as she flung herself out of the building after the service was over. "I consider that the most insulting sermon I ever heard from any minister. It is simply outlandish; and how the church can endure such preaching much longer is a w

front of the open fire until the day's excitement had subsided a little. It was almost

had been moving a plant back from one of the front windows and had been o

the house! I have heard the steps ever since we came home. A

e a little fun of that incident as his wife had told it. However, he rose and went over to the window. Sure

id not move away, at last Philip grew a little impatient and went to the door to op

won't you?" entreated

tramp or other wanting food

open and called out in

ou want to get in and know us, instead of standing there o

forward and slowly mounted the steps of the porch. As the face c

ad never to his knowledge seen before. Yet the impulse to start back before it seemed to spring from the recollection of just such a countenance

uld resist the mute appeal of distress in any form, reached out his hand and said kindly, "Come in, my brother, you look cold and weary.

see it, and wheeling an easy chair before the fire he made the

t made no resistance. He took off his hat and disclosed a head of hair w

ening, and the food will be very acceptable. And I have no dou

ok her head vigorously as she stood behind the visitor, as a sign that her husband should refuse such a strang

-excuse me a moment while I go and help to get our lunch." Philip's wife was te

e inviting all kinds of characters in here. We can't keep this man all night. Who ever heard of such a thing as a perfect stra

looked

don't think he's crazy. Why shouldn't we let him have the bed in the room off th

s. You let your sympathies

lk with him a while. You get the lunch,

wn again. He was hardly se

ight, of course, I don't wish to. I don't fee

Philip, hastily, with some embarrassm

now. Perfectly harmless. It will be perf

e Philip sat and watched him with a certain fascination

butter, milk and fruit, and then placed it on a table in front of t

if its reality and truthfulness did not compel us to record it as a part of the life of Philip Strong. No o