be relieved by that money wisely expended. An
entertainment given by people of means to other people of means in these
hard times, in which money is lavished on flowers, food and dress, is,
in my opinion, an act of which Christ would not approve. I do not mean
to say that he would object to the pleasure which flowers, 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 making? When it gives a charity
ball, does it not spend twice as much in getting up the entertainment to
please itself as it makes for the poor in whose behalf the ball is
given? Do you think I am severe? Ask yourself, O member of Calvary
Church, what has been the extent of your sacrifice for the world this
year before you condemn me for being too strict or particular. It is
because we live in such times that the law of service presses upon us
with greater insistence than ever. And now more than during any of the
ages gone, Christ's words ring in our ears with twenty centuries of
reverberation, 'Whosoever will not deny himself and take up his cross,
he cannot be my disciple.'"

Of all the sermons on Christ and Modern Society which Philip had thus
far preached, none had hit so hard or was applied so personally as this.
The Goldens went home from the service in a towering rage. "That settles
Calvary Church for me," said 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 wonder to me. I don't go near it again while Mr. Strong is the
minister!" Philip did not know it yet, but he was destined to find out
that society carries a tremendous power in its use of the word
"outlandish," applied either to persons or things.

When the evening service was over,