Willmar tribune., 1899-12-20

moved over the ccngre:>' lion. The most
careless persons in tx. church felt it,
Felicia, whose sensitive religious nature
responded swiftly to every touch of
emotion, quiyered under the passing of
that supernatural power, and when she
lifted her head and looked up at the
minister there was look in her eyes
that announced her intense, eager an
| ticipation of tho scene that was to fol
| low
And she was not alone in her atti-
tude. There was something in the
prayer and the result of it that stirred
many and many disciple in Nazareth
Avenue church. All over the house men
and women leaned forward, and when
Dr. Bruce began to speak Of his visit to
Raymond in the opening sentences of
his address. which this morning pre-
ceded his sermon, there was an answer
ing response in the church that came
back to him as he spoke and thrilled
him with the hope of spiritual bap-
tism such as he had never during all
his ministry experienced
Il am just back from visit to Ray
mond, DR.. Bruce began, land l want
to tell you something of my impressions
Of the movement there
He paused, and his look went over
his people with yearning for them and
at the same time with great uncer-
tainty at his heart How many of his
rich, fashionable refined, luxury loving
members would understand the nature
of the appeal he was soon to make to
them? He was altogether in the dark
as to that. Nevertheless he had been
through his desert and had come out of
it ready to suffer. He went on now aft
er that brief pause and told the story
of his stay in Raymond. The people al
ready knew something of that expert
ment in the First church. The whole
country had watched the progress Of
the pledge as it had become history in
30 many lives Henry Maxwell had at
last decided t},At the time had come to
seek the fellowship Of ether churches
throughout the country The new dis
cipleship in Raymond had proved to be
80 valuable in it's results that Henry
Maxwell wished the church in general
to share with the disciples in Ray
mond. Already there had begun vol
unteer movement in many q the
churches throughout the country, act.
ing on their own desire to walk closer
In the steps Of Jesus. The Christian
Endeavor societies had with enthusiasm
in many churches taken the pledge to
do as Jesus would do, and the result
was already marked in deeper spir-
ltual lite and power in church inhu-
ence that was like a new birth for the
members.
All this DR.. Bruce told his people
simply and with a personal interest that
evidently led the way to his announce
ment, which now followed: Felicia had
listened to every word with strained
attention. She sat there by the side of
Rose, in contrast like fire beside snow,
although even Rose was as alert and
excited as she could be-
"Dear friends,' he said, and for the
first time since his prayer the emotion
Of the occasion was revealed in his
voice and gesture, II am going to ask
that Nazareth Avenue church take the
same pledge that Raymond church has
taken. / know what this will mean to
you and me. It will mean the complete
change of very many habits. twill
mean possibly social loss. It will mean
very probably in many cases loss Of
money. It will mean suffering It will
mean what following Jesus meant in
the first century, and then it meant
suffering, loss, hardship, separation
from every thing un-Christian. But
what does following Jesus meant. The
test of discipleship is the same now as
then. Those Of you who volunteer in
the Nazareth Avenue church to do as
Jesus would do simply promise to walk
in his steps, as he gave as command
ment. = 4 ..1 >.s.. **:- 81 ~
Again Rev. Calvin Bruce, pastor Of
Nazareth Avenue church, paused. and
now the result Of his announcement
was plainly visible in the: stir. thatwent
over the co1lgre egation. He added in q
quiet voice that all who volunteered to
make the pledge to do as Jesus would
do were asked to remain after: the
morning service. 5%G !. s5z..5 8
Instantly he preceded with his SER
mon. His teztt was from Matthew viii.
10, 4 Master, I will follow thee whittier
,soever thon goest. IL
twas, sermon that touched the
deep springs Of conduct. It was a rev.
elation to the people of the definition
their pastor had been learning II took
them back to the first century bf Chris
tianity Aboye all, 1t stirred them be-
How the cow nventional thought Of years
IS to the meaning and purpose Of church
membership Il was such q sermon as d
man dan itrsach once in = lifetime ana
with eh6dgh III ~ folrS people to live 6h
IAll through a lifetime
he service closed ia a hush that was
IsloWly broken. People rose here and
There d few a time. There was q rel
Iluctance in the movements of the peos
~ ~ Z, II: s,