The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-11-01
IN HIS STEPS.
- What 1l1uuln
3eaua 40 81
Copyrighted and published tn book form bv the
AdcGnce Publishing Co. of Chlc0Co.

the members Of the church. But, in
order that we may have a thorough
understanding of what we are consid-
ering. l will put my proposition very
plainly. perhaps bluntly. ! want volun-
teers from the First church who will
pledge themselves earnestly and honest
ly for an entire year not to do anything
without first asking the question,
What would Jesus dor And after ask
ing that question each one will follow
Jesus as exactly as he knows how, no
matter what the results may be. I will,
Of course. include myself in this COM
pany OF volunteers and shall take for
granted that my church here will not
be surprised at my future conduct as
based upon this standard Of action and
will not oppoee whatever is done If they
think Christ would do it. Have made
my meaning clears At the close Of the
service here l want all those members
OF the church who are willing to join
such q company to remain. and we,
viii tclk over the details of the plan.
Our motto will be. What would Jesus
dof Our aim will be to act Just as he,
would II he were in orr places. regard
less OF immediate results In other
words. we propose to follow Jesus steps
q closely and as literally as we believe
he taught his disciples to do. And those
who volunteer to do this will pledge
themselves for an entire year. begin
ming with today, so to act"
Henry Maxwell paused again and
looked over his church. It is not easy
to describe the sensation that such a
simple proposition apparently made.
Men glanced at one another in aston
ishment 1t was not like Henry Max
well to define Christian discipleship in
this way. There was evident confusion
OF thought over his proposition. It was
understood well enough. but there was
apparently great difference of opinion
as to the application Of Jesus teaching
and example. !
Henry Msxwell calmly closed the
service with a brief prayer. The organ.
list began his postlude Immediately aft
er the benediction. and the people be-
gan to 60 out. There was a great deal
OF converse tion. Animated groups stood
all over the church discussing the min.
listers N oposition. II was evidently
provokin,, great discussion. After sew
eral minuies Henry Maxwell asked all
who expected to remain to pass into
the lecture room ON the side. He him.
self was detained at the s-ont of the
church talking with several persons
there. and when he finally turned around
the church was empty. He walked over
to the lecture room entrance and went
In. He was almost startled to see the peo-
pie who were there. He had not made
up his mind about any of his members.
but he had hardly expected that so
many were ready to enter into such a
literal testing Of their discipleship as
now awaited them. There were perhaps
90 members present Among them were
Rachel Winslow and Virginia Page.
Mr.. Norman. President Marsh. Alex
ander Powers. the railroad superintend.
ent; Milton Wright. DR. West and Jas.
per Chase.
The pastor closed the door of the lee.
ture room and stood before tho little
group His face was pale. and his lips
trembled with emotion. 1t was to him
a genuine crisis in his own life and that
OF his parish. No man can tell until he
Is moved by the Divine Spirit what he
may do or how he may change the cur
rent OF lifetime Of fixed habits of
thought and speech and action. Henry
Maxwell did not, rs we have said. vet
know himself all that he was passing
through. but he was conscious of a
great upheaval in his definitions Of
Christian discipleship. and he was
moved with depth Of feeling he could
not measure as he looked into the faces
OF these men and women ON this occa.
sion.
1t seemed to him that the most fitting
word to be spoken first was that Of
prayer. He asked them all to pray with
him. and almost with the first syllable
he uttered there was distinct presence
OF the Spirit felt by them all. AS the
prayer went on this presence grew in
power. They all felt it. The room was
filled with it as plainly as if it had been
visible. When the prayer closed, there
was silence that lasted several mo-
ments All the heads were bowed.
Henry Maxwells face was wet with
tears. If an audible voice from heaven
had sanctioned their pledge to follow
the Masters steps. not one person pres
ent could have felt more certain of the
Divine blessing. And so the most seri-
ous movement ever started in the First
church Of Raymond was begun.
1--WE all understand" said Henry
Maxwell. speaking very quietly. what
we have undertaken to do. We pledge
ourselves to do everything in our daily
lives after asking the question, What
would Jesus dor regardless Of what
may he the result to us Some time
shall be able to tell yon what a marvel.
ous change has come over my life with
In