“I said a month ago that the age in which we live demands a simpler, less extravagant style of living.  I did not mean by that to condemn the beauties of art or the marvels of science or the products of civilization.  I merely emphasized what I believe is a mighty but neglected truth in our modern civilization—­that if we would win men to Christ we must adopt more of his spirit of simple and consecrated self-denial.  I wish it to be distinctly understood as I go on that I do not condemn any man simply because he is rich or lives in a luxurious house, enjoying every comfort of modern civilization, every delicacy of the season, and all physical desires.  What I do wish distinctly understood is the belief which has been burned deep into me ever since coming to this town, that if the members of this church wish to honor the Head of the Church and bring men to believe him and save them in this life and the next, they must be willing to do far more than they have yet done to make use of the physical comforts and luxuries of their homes for the blessing and Christianizing of this community.  In this particular I have myself failed to set you an example.  The fact that I have so failed is my only reason for making this matter public this morning.

“The situation in Milton to-day is exceedingly serious.  I do not need to prove it to you by figures.  If any business man will go through the tenements he will acknowledge my statements.  If any woman will contrast those dens with her own home, she will, if Christ is a power in her heart, stand in horror before such a travesty on the sacred thought of honor.  The destitution of the neighborhood is alarming.  The number of men out of work is dangerous.  The complete removal of all sympathy between the Church up here on this street, and the tenement district is sadder than death.  O my beloved!”—­Philip stretched out his arms and uttered a cry that rang in the ears of those who heard it and remained with some of them a memory for years—­“these things ought not so to be!  Where is the Christ spirit with us?  Have we not sat in our comfortable houses and eaten our pleasant food and dressed in the finest clothing and gone to amusements and entertainments without number, while God’s poor have shivered on the streets, and his sinful ones have sneered at Christianity as they have walked by our church doors?

“It is true we have given money to charitable causes.  It is true the town council has organized a bureau for the care and maintenance of those in want.  It is true members of Calvary Church, with other churches at this time, have done something to relieve the immediate distress of the town.  But how much have we given of ourselves to those in need?  Do we reflect that to reach souls and win them, to bring back humanity to God and the Christ, the Christian must do something different from the giving of money now and then?  He must give a part of himself.  That was my reason for urging you to move this church building away from this street into the tenement district, that we might give ourselves to the people there.  The idea is the same in what I now propose.  But you will pardon me if first of all I announce my own action, which I believe is demanded by the times and would be approved by our Lord.”