The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-09-21

he taught his disciples to do. And those
who volunteer to do this will pledge
themselves for an entire year. beg1l-
ming with today so to act
Henry Maxwell paused again and
looked over his church. It is not easy
to describe the sensation that such a
simple proposition apparently made
Men glanced at one another in aston
ishment It was not like Henry Max
we'll to define Christian discipleship in
this way There was evident confusion
Of thought over his proposition. It was
understood well enough, but there was
apparently great difference of opinion
as to the application of Jesus teaching
and example
Henry Maxwell calmly closed the
service with a brief prayer. The organ
lst 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 the min
listers proposition. It 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 the 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
in. He was almost startled to see the peo-
pie who were there. He had not made
up his mind about any OF his members
but he had hardly expected that so
many were ready to enter into such
literal testing Of their discipleship as
now awaited them. There were perhaps
80 members present. Among them were
Rachel Winslow and Virginia Page.
Mr.. Norman, President Marsh, Alex
ander Powers, the railroad superintend-
emit; Milton Wright, Dr. West and Jas
per Chase.
The pastor closed the door Of the lee
ture room and stood before the little
group. His face was pale, and his lips
trembled with emotion. 1t was to him
a 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 or how he may change the cur
rent Of lifetime Of fixed habits of
thought and speech and action Henry
Maxwell did not, as we have said, yet
know himself all that he was passing
through, but he was conscious Of a
great upheaval in his definitions of
Christian discipleship, and he was
moved with depth Of feeling he could
not measure as he looked into the faces
of these men and women on this occa-
sion.
1t seemed to him that the most fitting
word to be spoken first was that Of
prayer. He asked them all to pray with
him, and almost with the first syllable
he uttered there was a distinct presence
of the Spirit felt by them all AS the
prayer went on this presence grew in
power. They all felt it. The room was
filled with it as plainly as if it had been
visible. When the prayer closed, there
was a silence that lasted several mo-
ments All the heads were bowed.
Henry Maxwells face was wet with
tea If an audible voice from heaven
had sanctioned their pledge to follow
the Masters steps, not one person pres
ent could have felt more certain Of the
Divine blessing And so the most seri-
Gus movement ever started in the First
church Of Raymond was begun.
eve all understand said Henry
Maxwell, speaking very quietly, 'what
we have undertaken to do. We pledge
ourselves to do everything in our daily
lives after asking the question, what
| 80 IS
may be the result to US. Some time I
shall be able to tell you what marvel
GUS change has come over my life with
in a weeks time. cannot now. But
the experience I have been through
since last Sunday has left me so dissat-
isfed with my previous definition Of
discipleship that have been compelled
to take this action. I did not dare be-
gin it alone. l know that I am being
this. The same Divine impulse must
have led you also. Do we understand
fully what we have undertaken?
II want to ask a question: said
Rachel Winslow.
Every one turned toward her. Her
face glow ed with beauty that no love-
illness could ever create.
II am a little in doubt as to the
source of our knowledge concerning
what Jesus would do. Who is to decide
for me just what he would do in my
case? 1t is different age. There are
many perplexing questions in our civil
lization that are not mentioned in the
teaching Of Jesus. How am going to.
tell what he would DOR
''There is no way that I know of, -
replied Mr.. Maxwell, except as we
study Jesus through the medium of the
Holy Spirit You remember what Christ
said speaking to his disciples about the
Holy Spirit:
'Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of
Truth is come he shall guide you into,
all the truth. for he shall not speak
from himself. But what things soever
he shall hear, these shall he speak, and
he shall declare unto you the things.
that are to come. He shall glorify me,