of the hearts of live creatures.  The unpainted tenements, ugly in their unfailing similarity, affected Philip with a sense of almost anger.  He had a keen and truthful taste in matters of architecture, and those boxes of houses offended every artistic and home-like feeling in him.  Coming home one day past the tenements he found himself in an unknown street, and for the curiosity of it he undertook to count the saloons on the street in one block.  There were over twelve.  There was a policeman on the corner as Philip reached the crossing, and he inquired of the officer if he could tell him who owned the property in the block containing the saloons.

“I believe most of the houses belong to Mr. Winter, sir.”

“Mr. William Winter?” asked Philip.

“Yes, I think that’s his name.  He is the largest owner in the Ocean Mill yonder.”

Philip thanked the man and went on toward home.  “William Winter!” he exclaimed.  “Is it possible that man will accept a revenue from the renting of his property to these vestibules of hell?  That man!  One of the leading members in my church!  Chairman of the board of trustees and a leading citizen of the place!  It does not seem possible!”

But before the week was out Philip had discovered facts that made his heart burn with shame and his mind rouse with indignation.  Property in the town which was being used for saloons, gambling-houses, and dens of wickedness, was owned in large part by several of the most prominent members of his church.  There was no doubt of the fact.  Philip, whose very nature was frankness itself, resolved to go to these men and have a plain talk with them about it.  It seemed to him like a monstrous evil that a Christian believer, a church-member, should be renting his property to these dens of vice, and taking the money.  He called on Mr. Winter; but he was out of town and would not be back until Saturday night.  He went to see another member who was a large owner in one of the mills, and a heavy property owner.  It was not a pleasant thing to do, but Philip boldly stated the precise reason for his call, and asked his member if it was true that he rented several houses in a certain block where saloons and gambling-houses were numerous.  The man looked at Philip, turned red, and finally said it was a fact, but none of Philip’s business.

“My dear brother,” said Philip, with a sad but winning smile, “you cannot imagine what it costs me to come to you about this matter.  In one sense, it may seem to you like an impertinent meddling in your business.  In another sense, it is only what I ought to do as pastor of a church which is dearer to me than my life.  And I have come to you as a brother in Christ to ask you if it seems to you like a thing which Christ would approve that you, His disciple, should allow the property which has come into your hands that you may use it for His glory and the building up of His kingdom, to be used by the agents of the devil while you reap the financial benefit.  Is it right, my brother?”