The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-06-22
RkV. SHELDUN'S STORY
IN his STEPS"

winter, L intend 10 read n story. was
the announcement made by the pastor
Of 4 suburban church in a small West
ern city one Sunday early in the win
ter Of 1861. Little did ne think. as
he made the announcement. that with
in comparatively short time the
newsboys on the streets OF London
would be crying the same story along
with their daily papers. and that the
people OF two continents would De dis
cussing il. Yet that Is the history Of
In His Steps" book which has had
a sale unparalleled in the history OF
Nerature-three million copies in the
first four months of 1899.
In His Steps deals with serious
problems. The city OF Raymond Is
typical; the leading church. with its
ease-loving and fashionable members.
is common 20 every community. and
the pastor, Henry Maxwell. is a good
representative OF his profession. Any
congregation would have been dis
turbed by the circumstance which Is
the basis OF the problems in the mar
rative. Henry Maxwell has just COM
pleted n vigorous sermon on Christian
duty. when 4 poorly clad and Hap
pearing young man walks out before
the audience and begs for n chance to
speak. He is worn out in his search
for work. and, uncomplainingly. Won
ders what Christ would do in similar
circumstances. The strange incident
changes the pastors conception of
duty, and the next Sunday he asks all
who are willing TO join him in max
ing it a rule 20 ask before every ac-
ton the question. What would Jesus
do?"
To the pastors surprise fifty OF his
congregation take the pledge for one
year. Among the band are many OF
the most prominent people OF Ray
mond. Edward Norman. editor OF the
News; Alexander Powers. superin-
tendent OF the railroad shops: Donald
Marsh, president Of the local college:
Milton Wright, rich merchant: DR..
ity: Jasper Chase, the author: Miss
Virginia Page, the heireSs. and Rachel
Winslow. the leading soprano OF the
choir. The reforms began immediate
ly. Norman changes the policy OF his
newspaper, refuses TO print IN account
of a prize-fight, decides against adver-
Using tobacco and liquor, and insti-
tutes such general revolutions that his
ruin is generally predicted. Rachel
Winslow refuses a large offer to- join
a concert company and decides To de-
vote her talent to the saving of out
casts in the "Rectansle" the slum
district OF Raymond.
Alexander Powers begins = benefi-
cial plan of cooperation with his
workmen. but, discovering that the
railroad is openly violating the inter
state commerce laws. resigns his po-
sition. Virginia Page has much diff
Guilty in answering the question.
What would Jesus do with one mill
ion dollars?" Jasper Chase. dIsap-
pointed in his failure TO secure the
love of Rachel winslow. gives up his
pledge. Rolin Page, young club man
of independent wealth. becomes con-
verified in the humble meetings in the
"Rectangle."
President Narsh's problem comes
through his dislike OF municipal af-
fairs. but he follows the line OF duty
which his pledge imposes and heads a
strong movement for local political
reforms. Editor Norton loses thou
sands OF dollars. but ne is convinced
that he can succeed with financial
backing. and Virginia Page comes to
his relief with 4 half million dollars
with which she sadows the paper. The
Pages buy considerable "Rectangle"
property and build proper tenement
houses on il.
Remarkable changes take place in
Raymond, AID The movement spreads
to many cities Of the country. At the
end Of the year ;Ae largely increased
band meets again in the old Raymond
Church. And yet the work Is only be-
gun. The influence Of the movement
has spread beyond al reckoning. and
the pastor OF he church can see Wis
ions of / regeneration OF n Christen-
dom when there would be but one
church. without spot or blemish. fol-
lowing Christ, walking obediently in
His steps.
Charles ". Sheldon. the author Of
ihis work, is pastor OF the Central
Congregational Church at Topeka.
Kas.. 4 little unpretentious chapel in
The outskirts OF The city. He was dis
satisfied wish The apparent good his
sermons were doing his congregation;
he wanted % preach an everyday