“That is not the question,” said one of the trustees, who had the reputation of being a very shrewd business man.  “The question is concerning the feasibility of moving this property a mile into the poorest part of the town and then maintaining it there.  In my opinion, it cannot be done.  The expenses of the organization cannot be kept up.  We should lose some of our best financial supporters.  Mr. Strong’s spirit and purpose spring from a good motive, no doubt, but viewed from a business point of view, the church in that locality would not be a success.  To my mind it would be a very unwise thing to do.  It would practically destroy our organization here and not really establish anything there.”

“I do not believe we can tell until we try,” said Philip.  “I certainly do not wish the church to destroy itself foolishly.  But I do feel that we ought to do something very positive and very large to define our attitude as saviors in this community.  And moving the house, as I propose, has the advantage of being a definite, practical step in the direction of a Christlike use of our powers as a church.”

There was more talk of the same sort, but it was plainly felt by Philip that the plan he had proposed was distasteful to the greater part of the church, and if the matter came to a vote it would be defeated.  He talked the plan over with his trustees as he had already done before he spoke in public.  Four of them were decided in their objection to the plan.  Only one fully sustained Philip.  During the week he succeeded in finding out that from his membership of five hundred, less than forty persons were willing to stand by him in so radical a movement.  And yet the more Philip studied the problem of the town, the more he was persuaded that the only way for the church to make any impression on the tenement district was to put itself directly in touch with the neighborhood.  To accomplish that necessity, Philip was not stubborn.  He was ready to adopt any plan that would actually do something, but he grew more eager every day that he spent in the study of the town to have the church feel its opportunity and make Christ a reality to those most in need of Him.

It was at this time that Philip was surprised one evening by a call from one of the working-men who had been present and heard his sermon on moving the church into the tenement district.

“I came to see you particularly, Mr. Strong, about getting you to come down to our hall some evening next week and give us a talk on some subject connected with the signs of the times.”

“I’ll come if you think I can do any good in that way,” replied Philip, hesitating a little.

“I believe you can.  The men are beginning to take to you, and while they won’t come up to church, they will turn out to hear you down there.”

“All right.  When do you want me to come?”

“Say next Tuesday.  You know where the hall is?”

Philip nodded.  He had been by it in his walks through that part of Milton.