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


the present for me to propose plan or
a purpose which has been forming in
my mind as n satisfactory reply to
much that was said here last Sunday. "
Again Henry Maxwell paused and
looked into the faces of his people.
There were some strong, earnest men
and women in the First church The
minister could see Edward Norman,
editor of the Raymond Daily News. He
had been a member of First church for
ten years. No man was more honored
in the community. There was Aexan-
der Powers, superintendent of the rail
road shops There was Donald Marsh,
president of Lincoln college, situated in
the suburbs of Raymond There was
Milton Wright, one of the great mer-
chants of Raymond, having in his en-
ploy at least 100 men in various shops
There was DR.. West, who although
still comparatively young, was quoted
as authority in special surgical cases.
There was young Jasper Chase the
author, who had written one successful
book and was said to be at work on a
new novel. There was Miss Virginia
Page, the heiress. who through the re-
cent death of her father had inherited
a million ut least and was gifted with
unusual attractions of person and in
tellect. And. not least of all. Rachel
Winslow from her seat in the choir
glowed with her peculiar beauty Of
light this morning because she was 80
intensely interested in the whole scene
There was some reason perhaps. in
view of such material in the First
church, for Henry Maxwell s feeling of
satisfaction whenever he considered his
parish as he had the previous Sunday.
There was large number of strong in
dividual characters who claimed mem-
bership there. But as he noted their
faces this morning Henry Maxwell was
simply wondering how many of them
would respond to the strange PROPOSE
ton he was about to make. He con-
tinued slowly, taking time to choose
his words carefully and giving the pco-
pie an impression they had never felt
before. even when he was at his best,
with his most dramatic delivery
something which ought not to appear
unusual or at all impossible of execu-
ton, yet | am aware that it will be SO
regarded by largo number perhaps of
the members of the church. But, in
order that we may have thorough
understanding of what we are consid-
ering, l will put my proposition very
,,1n i,,11 I
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 Jafus dol? 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 | made
my meaning clear? At the close of the
service here | want all those members
of the church who are willing to Join
such 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
themselves for an entire year, begin
ming with today so to act.
Henry Maxwell paused again and
looked over his church. 1t is not easy
to describe the sens.Sion that such a
simple proposition apparently made.
Men glanced Mt 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
great difference of opinion
as to the application of Jesus teaching
Henry Maxwell calmly closed the
service with brief prayer. The organ
ist began his postiude Immediately aft
er the benediction, and the people be-
gan to 90 out. There was a great deal
Of conversation. Animated groups stood
all over the church discussing the min
listers proposition. 1t was evidently
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 sec the peo-
pie who We're there He had not mado
up his mind about any of his members,
but he had hardly expected that 80
many We're ready to enter into such a
literal testing of their disciplcship as
now awaited them. There We're perhaps
80 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 the lee
ture room and stood before the little
group His face was pale and his lips
with emotion, 1t was to him
q genuine crisis in his own life and that