Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-09-07

nearly every man in the house. The an
nouncement had been expressed in such
remarkable language that every reader
was struck by it. No such series of dis
tinct sensations had ever disturbed tho
usual business custom of Raymond
The events connected with The News
were not all. People were eagerly talk
ing about the strange things done dur
ing the week by Alexander Powers at
the railroad shops and by Milton Wright
in his stores on the avenue. The service
progressed upon distinct wave of ex-
citement in the pews Henry Maxwell
faced it all with calmness which in
dictated strength and purpose more
than usual. His prayers were very
helpful. His sermon was not so easy to
describe. How would minister be apt
to preach to his people if he came before
them after an entire week of eager ask
ing: "How would Jesus preach What
would he probably sayY" y is very
certain that Henry Maxwell did not
preach as he had done two Sundays be-
fore. Tuesday of the past week he had
stood by the grave of the dead stranger
ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and still
he was moved by the spirit of deeper
impulse than he could measure as he
thought of his people and yearned for
the Christ message when he should be
in his pulpit again.
Now that Sunday had come and the
people were there to hear. what would
the Master tell them? He agonized over
his preparation for them, and yet he
knew he had not been able to fit his
message into his ideal of the Christ.
| Nevertheless no one in the First church
could remember hearing such a sermon
before. There was in it rebuke for sin,
especially hypocrisy there was definite
rebuke of the greed of wealth and the
selfishness of fashion, two things that
First church never heard rebuked this
way before, and there was a love of his
people that gathered new force as the
sermon went on. When it was finished,
there were those who were saying in
thei,' hearts, 1.-The Spirit moved that
sermon And they were right
Then Rachel Winslow rose to sing,
this time, after the sermon. by Henry
Maxwell $ request. Rachel singing did
not provoke applause this time. What
deeper feeling carried peoples hearts
into reverent silence and tenderness
of thought? Rachel was beautiful, but
the consciousness of her remarkable
| loneliness had always marred her sing
ing with those who had the deepest
spiritual feeling. 1t had also married
her rendering of certain kinds of music
with herself. Today this was all gone.
There was no lack of power in her
grand voice, but there was an actual
added element of humility and purity
which the audience strictly felt and
bowed to.
Before the service closed Henry Max
well asked those who had remained
the week before to stay again for few
moments for consultation and any 9TH
ers who were willing to make the
pledge taken at that time When he
was at liberty, he went into the lecture
room. To his establishment, it was al
most filled. This time large proper
ton of young people had come. but
among them were a few business men
and officers of the church
AS before, Henry Maxwell asked
them to pray with him, and, as before
distinct answer came in the presence
of the Divine Spirit. There was no
doubt in the minds of any one present
that what they proposed to do was so
clearly in line with the Divine will
that blessing rested on it in very
special manner.
They remained some time to ask
questions and consult together. There
was feeling of fellowship such as they
had never known in their church mem
bership. Edward Norman action was
we'll understood by them all, and he
answered several questions.
"What will be the probable result of
your discontinuance of the Sunday pa
peri" asked Alexander Powers, who
sat next to him.
81 don't know yet. l presume it will
result in falling off of subscriptions
and advertisements. Anticipate that, .
"Do you have any doubts about your
action2 l mean do you regret it for
fear it is not what Jesus would do q
asked Henry Maxwell.
mot in the least, but l would like
to ask for my own satisfaction if any
one of you here thinks Jesus would is
sue Sunday morning paper?'
No one spoke for minute. Then
Jasper Chase said: 1--WE seem to think
alike on that, but l have been puzzled
several times during the week to know
just what he would do. 1t is not al
ways an easy question to answer. "
II find that trouble, said Virginia
Page. She sat by Rachel Winslow. Ev-
cry one knew who Virginia Page was,
wondering how she would succeed in
keeping her promise.
81 think perhaps l find it specially
difficult to answer the question on ac-
count Of my money. Jesus never owned
any property, and there is nothing in
his example to guide me in the use OF
mine. am studying and praying
think see clearly a part of what he
would do, but not all. What would
Jesus do with million dollars! is my
question really. ! confess that / am not
yet able to answer it to my satisfac
ton"
81 could tell you what to do with a
part of it," said Rachel, turning he,
face toward Virginia,
THAT does not trouble me" replied