“I’m not so sure of that, Sarah,” replied Philip, cheerfully.  “I believe I shall win them yet.  The only thing that sometimes troubles me is, Am I doing just as Christ would do?  Am I saying what He would say in this age of the world?  There is one thing of which I am certain—­I am trying to do just as I believe He would.  The mistakes I make are those which spring from my failure to interpret His action right.  And yet I do feel deep in me that if He was pastor of this church to-day, He would do most of the things I have done; He would preach most of the truths I have proclaimed.  Don’t you think so, Sarah?”

“I don’t know, Philip.  Yes, I think in most things you have made an honest attempt to interpret Him.”

“And in the matter of the sexton, Sarah, wouldn’t Christ tell Calvary Church that it should admit him to its membership?  Would He make any distinction of persons?  If the man is a Christian, thoroughly converted, and wants to be baptized and unite with Christ’s body on earth, would Christ, as pastor, refuse him admission?”

“There is a great deal of race prejudice among the people.  If you press the matter, Philip, I feel sure it will meet with great opposition.”

“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 membership 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 sexton, 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 membership and expressing his joy that the young men especially were coming into the church family.  When he reached the sexton’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 sexton.  What is his name?”

“Henry Roland.”