Some of them gathered about Philip at the close of the service.
"It will not be possible to do this thing you propose, Brother Strong," said one of the deacons, a leading member and a man who had defended Philip once or twice against public criticism.
"Why not ?" asked Philip, simply.

He was exhausted with his effort that morning, but felt that a crisis of some sort had been precipitated by his message, and so he welcomed this show of interest which his sermon had aroused.
"The church will not agree to such a thing." "A number of them favor the step," replied Philip, who had talked over the matter fully with many in the church.
"A majority will vote against it." "Yes, an overwhelming majority!" said one man.

"I know a good many who would not be able to go that distance to attend church, and they certainly would not join any other church on the street.

I know for one I wouldn't." "Not if you thought Christ's kingdom in this town would be advanced by it ?" asked Philip, turning to this man with a directness that was almost bluntness.
"I don't see as that would be a test of my Christianity." "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.