The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-09-29
IN HIS STEPS,.
M1llat allnuIh
Scsus ln 2"
copyrighted and published IN bcOf JDrm by the
Adrdncc Publishing Co. Gf Chicoyo.

"What am going to propose now is
something which ought not to appear
unusual or at all impossible Of execu-
tion. yet am aware that it will be SO
regarded by u large number perhaps Of
the members Of the church. But, in
order that we may have u thorough
understanding Of what we are consid-
ering / will put my proposition very
plainly. perhaps bluntly. l want volun-
teers from the First church who will
pledge themselves earnestly and honest
ly for an entire year not to do anything
without first asking the question,
What would Jesus dor And after ask
ing that question each one will follow
Jesus as exactly as he knows how, no
matter what the results may be. / will.
Of course. include myself in this COM
pany of volunteers and shall take for
granted that my church here will not
be surprised at my future conduct as
based upon this standard of action and
will not oppose whatever is done if they
think Christ would do it. Have l made
my meaning clear2 At the close Of the
service here l want all those MEMBERS
of the church who are willing to join
such Il company to remain. and we;
will talk over the details of the plan.
Our motto will be, What would Jesus
dor Our aim will be to act just as he
would if he were in our places, regard
less Of immediate results In other
words. we propose to follow Jesus steps
AS closely and as literally as we believe
he taught his disciples to do. And those
who volunteer to do this will pledge
f1n,,,Snlypc horin-
ming with today, so to act. -
Henry Maxwell paused again and
looked over his church. 1t is not easy
to describe the sensation that such Il
simple proposition apparently made
Men glanced at one another in aston
ishment. 1t was not like Henry Max
well to define Christian discipleship in
this way. There was evident confusion
of thought over his proposition. 1t was
understood well enough. but there was
apparently n great difference of opinion
as to the application of Jesus teaching
and example.
Henry Maxwell calmly closed the
service with brief prayer. The organ
ist began his postlude Immediately aft
er the benediction, and the people be-
gan to go out. There was great deal
Of conversation. Animated groups stood
all over the church discussing tho min
isters proposition. 1t was evidently
provoking great discussion. After sew
eral minutes Henry Maxwell asked all
who expected to remain to pass into
the lecture room on the side. He him
self was detained at tho front OF the
church talking with several persons
there. and when he finally turned around
the church was empty. He walked over
to the lecture room entrance and went
i'll. He was almost startled to see the pao-
pie who we're there. He had not made
up his mind abppt any OF his members,
but he had hardly eapacted that so
ynany were ready to enter into saGb z
lite.a, testing of their discipleship as
now awaited them. There were perhaps
SO members present. Among them were
Rachel Winslow and Virginia Page.
Mr.. Norman. President Marsh. Alex
ander Powers, the railroad superintend-
ent; Milton Wright. Dr.. West and JAS
per Chase.
The pastor closed the door Of tho leg
ture room and stood before the little
group. His face was pale. and hia lips
trembled with emotion. 1t was to him
genuine crisis in his own life and that
of his parish. No man can tell until he
is moved by the Divine Spirit what he
may do o. bow he may change the cur
rent Of lifetime Il fixed habits Of
tiought and speech and actiop. Henry
Maxwell did not. as we have said yet
know himsei; 81 that he was passing
through. but he was conscious of n
great npheaval in his definitions of
Christian diseIpleship. ard he was
moved with depth OF feeling he could
| not measure as he looked into tho faces
Of these men and women Oh this occa
| sion.
1t seemed to him that the most fitting
word to be spoken first was that OF
lEayer. He asked them all to pray with
him, ana almost with the first syllable
! he uttered there VITO : distinct presence
~ the Spirit felt by them nii. Z ) the
| prayer went on this presence grew IL
: power. They all felt it. The roorl was
! filled with it us plainly IA II 1t had teei,
visible. When the prayer closed. tleve
! WAS p silence that lasted several mo-
| mehts. ALI the heads We're bowed.
hLChfJ thdA "ef idfgy Vas wei VIII
tears. If an audible voice from lcavcn
haS sanctioned their piadge 70 foiloy
. tho Masters steps, not one person pres-
! ent could have felt 1l:Hre certain OF the
Divine blessing. And 80 the h'ost sei'.
GUS movement ever started in the First
church of Raymond was beguA
eve all understand" SAID Henry
Maxwell. Speaking very quietly. what
we have undcrsale9 TO do We pledge
ourselves to do everything ~ our daily
lives after asking the question. What
would Jesns dor regardless Of what