The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-11-16
AUTHOR OF
In Hts Steps. Z"
Will Net be Interviewed.
A RETIRED MINISTER.

A RETIRED MINISTER.
Selected.
"In His Steps or What Would Jes.
us Do?" by Rev. Charles M. Sheldon
OF Topeka, has reached a greater sale
than any story ever printed. 1t has
been translated into no less than nine
languages, and over 100000 copies
have been sold. It cannot be said that
the author did not, in a vague way, an
ticlpate widespread circulation, fol
be stipulated with the publisher that
the book be printed in a very cheap as
we'll as expensive edition, so that it
might be within reach of all.
In 1891 Mr.. Sheldon adopted new
plan of Sunday evening services in the
Central Congregational church at To.
peka. During the winter he read his
first story, Orchard Bruce" Each
chapter served as Sunday evening
sermon. The new way of preaching
Christianity met with approval, and
since then he has written IL stories
which have been read in the same man.
ner. "Richard Bruce" was written in
1891, "Robert Hardy's Seven Days, In
1892. "The Twentieth Door" in 1893,
"The Crucl6xion of Philip Strong" in
1893, "John Kings Questian Glass" in
1894, "His Brothers Keeper" in 1895,
"In His Steps" in 1896, "Malcom Kirk
in 1897, "The Redemption OF Free
town" in 1895, Zone of the Two" in
1898, "The Miracle oil Markham" in
1898, and "For Christ and the Church"
IN 1899.
Although Mr.. Sheldon has written a
dozen books, he is known best as the
outhor of 'In His Steps," The work
was not copyrighted in England, and
| 20 publishing houses there are still is
suing editions. It has been translated
into French, German, Russian, Italian,
Armenian, Swedish, Norwegian, Span
ish ndldialects of western Africa. From
the editions in the United States, which
sell as low as Is cents copy, Mr.. Shell
don's income is estimated at $500 per
month.
Mr.. Sheldon is by nature a retired
man, and almost breads notoriety. He
will not talk for publication and never
breaks that rule. He has had hattering
offers to enter the lecture field, but re-
fuses them all, preferring to accept in
vitations to lecture before religious So
cieties without remuneration. A writer
for an eastern religious paper tele-
graphed him as follows:
II am coming to Topeka to stay a
week to treat fully of your methods
and motives in writing and the work oi
your church III detail. The article will
bs syndicated and will be printed in
nearly every paper in the country"
Mr.. Sheldon replied Immediately as
follows:
nYou need not come. will no, talk to
YOU. Ihaye some rights which you
are bound to respect"
When told that the people who read
his books would like to know about the
author. he said ~''That is mere idle
curiosity. do not wish to be talked
about, or to have my church work talk
ed about. The message I have for
these people among whom 1 live 1 give
in my sermons. The message l have
tor the world at large I give IN books.
have nothing more to say"
Although he avoids notoriety, he is
Wiling to speak when an opportunity
presents itself to further the cause OF
religion or humanity. He believes in
municipal ownership of public utilities,
and has studied the subject at home
and abroad. He affillates with no po-
litical party, but in local campaigns
when this point was in question, he
has made speeches in favor OF public
ownership. He believes that water
heat and light plants, together with
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. lame shoulder that has palned mel
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