St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-08-16

Topeka, Kansas. that instead of preach
ing sermon on Sunday evenings, in
tend to read story" The story was
Orchard Bruce" and each chapter serv'
ed as a Sunday evening sermon. The
sermon story found favor with the con
gregation, and since then eleven Others
have served the author in like manner.
The succeeding stories were written as
follows: Robert Hardy's Seven Days
in 1892, "The Twentieth Door" in 1898,
"The Cruci6xion Of Philip Strong" in
1898, "John Kings Question Class" in
1894, "His Brothers Keeper" in 1895,
"In His Steps" in 1896, "Malcome Kirk
in 1897 "The Redemption of Freetown"
in 1898, zone of the Two" in 1898, "The
Miracle of Markham" in 1898, and "For
Christ and the Church" in 1899.
Charles M. Sheldon was born in Wells
vile, New York, forty-one years ago.
His father, Rev. Stewart Sheldon, moved
to Dakota while his son was quite young
and was engaged in farming and mis-
sionary work among the Indians The
young mans early education was receiv-
ed in the west. Later he graduated from
Phillips Academy, Brown University and
Andover Theological Seminary. In 1886
Rev. Mr.. Sheldon spent a vacation in
England, studying the poorer classes
and their needs. On his return he accept
ed his first pastorate, in Waterbury, Yer
mont. In 1888 he accepted call from
the Central Congregational church at
Topeka, which passionate he still holds.
In 1891 he was married to Miss Mary A.
Merriam, the only daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. E. B. Merriam, formerly of St.
Johnsbury. Mr. and Mrs Sheldon have
one child, Merriam Ward Sheldon.
Soon after going to Topeka, Rev. Mr..
Sheldon requested his congregation to
excuse him from parish work and he was
seen only at church services. For several
months he studied the different classes of
wage earners in a novel manner. I'm
known to anyone he donned the garb Of
a laborer, and secured work. He was
employed for a while as a mechanics
helper in the Santa Fe railroad shops,
and spent some time on the road with
trainmen. Later he mingled with the
lawyers and doctors and finally entered
Washburn College, at Topeka, as stu
dent. He joined the scholars in their
athletic games and literary societies. All
this he did in order to study the different
classes and to gain an insight into their
needs and manner oil living.
Later he devoted larger part of his
time in Tennesseetown, the negro quarter
of the city. He offered prizes for the best
kept houses, neatest yards, most thrifty
families, and the change has been Won
deriul. A free reading room and kinder
garten were established there for the
colored people. "The Redemption of
Freetown" is the story of this work.
The fundamental idea OF Rev. Mr.. Shell
don's work and success is found in the
closing paragraph of an address he de-
livered before graduating class, as fol
lows: what we do in the world is not
worth doing unless it is done to the
glory of God. We have been created
with different powers and are called to
do different things. But if each of us in
his own calling works out the will of
Him who made US, the result shall be
one result. The world is ready to test
what we do by its standard of success.
But eternity will test what we do by the
standard Of the Cross"
I'm His Steps" has been translated
into French, German, Spanish. Swedish,
Norwegian, Italian. Russian, Armenian
and dialects of Western Africa. In every
country where the book is sold, no
matter what the creed of the readers
may be, it has created profound thought
Ministers have preached from it, speakers
have used it as an example and the pa.
pers have contained lengthy editorials
concerning it. 1t may be said that it has
awakened the greatest religious feeling
since the Crusades 1t has accomplished
the desire of the author--~xpressed as
follows in the preface: 1T is the earnest
prayer OF the author that the book may
go its way with great blessing to the
churches for the quickening of Christian
discipleship and the Fastening of the
Masters kingdom on earth"
Rev. Mr.. Sheldon avoids notoriety
He never talks for publication. He ha.
refused many fattering offers to lecture
only to accept invitations to speak beior,
Christian Endeavor societies. Whel
told that the people who read his book
would like to know about the author, h
said: That is mere idle curiosity. de-
not wish to be talked about or to hav
my church work talked about. Tn
message have for these people amongs
whom l live give in my sermons. TIL
message have for the future | give il
my books. have nothing more to say.
Many letters have been written tn
author TO know if I'm His Steps" wa
founded on fact. In answer he says
The story I'm His Steps" when write
was purely imaginary. l knew of n
such places or characters in existence. ]
was not founded upon facts, but it wa
writer with desire that the imaginar
might become real. Since the story wa
written have heard of several charaC
tiers who are very nearly like those in tn
book.