Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-09
Of his own discipleship was receiving
an added test at this time, and he was
being led into larger truth Of his

LOrQ. 4t
=. The great church was filed to its ut
most. Henry Maxwell, coming into the
pulpit from that all night vigil, felt the
pressure Of q great curiosity on She part
Of the people. They had heard Of the
Raymond movement, as all the churches
had, and the recent action Of DR.. Bruce
had added to the general interest in the
pledge. With this curiosity was some
thing deeper, more serious. Mr.. Max
well felt that also, and in the knowledge
that the Spirits presence was his living
strength he brought his message and
gave it to the church that day.
He had never been what would be
called o great preacher. He had not the
force OF the quality that makes remark
able preachers. But ever since he had
promised to do as Jesus would do he
had grown in q certain quality of per-
suasiveness that had all the essentials Of
true eloquence. This morning the peo-
pie felt the complete sincerity and hu-
mility Of a man who had gone deep into
the heart Of great truth. After tell
ing briefly Of some results in his own
church in Raymond since the pledge
was taken he went on to ask the ques-
ton he had been asking since the settle
ment meeting. He had taken for his
theme the story Of the young man who
came to Jesus asking what he must do
to obtain eternal life. Jesus had tested
him: "Sell all that thou hast and give
to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure
in heaven. And, come; follow me-"
But the young man was not willing to
suffer to that extent. II, following Jesus
meant suffering in that way, he was
not willing. He would like to follow
Jesus, but not if he had to give up SO
much.
"Is it true" continued Henry Max
we'll and his fine, thoughtful face
glowed with a passion of appeal that
stirred the people as they had seldom
been stirred-.sis it true that the church
Of today, the church that is called after
Christ'e own name, would refuse to
follow Jesus at the expense Of suffering,
Of physical loss, of temporary gainf
The statement was made at q large
gathering in the settlement last week
by q leader Of workingmen that it was
hopeless TO look to the, church for any
reform or redemption Of society. On
what was that statement basedf Plain
~ on the assumption that the church
contained for the most part men and
women who thought more of their own
ease and luxury than Of the sufferings
and needs and sins Of humanity. How
far was that tfue9; Are the Christians
Of AmsricA ready to; have their disciple
ship testsd y How about the men who
possess large wealth. Are they ready to
take that wealth and use it as Jesus
'would2 How about the men and women
Of great talents Are they ready to con-
secrate that talent to humanity. as Jesus
undoubtedly would dot
sis it not true that the call has come
in this age for new exhibition Of dis
oipleship, Christian discipleshipa You
who live in this great, sinful city must
know that better than I do. Is it posi-
Bile Iyoua can go your ways careless or
thong Of the awful condition Of
men and women and children who are
G ~ - q 49, -f7<-x,sa =
lying pouy anu SOUL LOT Shrlstlan
neip Is ~ NOT q matter OF concern 10
you pe1eonally ona1 sne saloo ll'.i kllis lts
thousands more surely 1nan war is IL
nov matter OF personal suHerlng IN
ablebodied, willing men tramp the
streets q tnis Guy ana an cues crying
~. Mofk anu oriit'hs INTO crime anu
SUICIDE because tney cannot ma II! Can
you say t1iat TINS Is none OF your Dus,.
ness Ees eash man LOOK a1ter hlmseif /.
y. W o 't' IL not Dc trae' thlnk you, tnat
Il every Snr!stlan m America dia as
JESUS ''"ouiu 10 Society l1selt, the pusi-
'n .'s woiiu--yes' inc very poiltica. sys,
'en uiuer winch our colnnierciai ana
sovel,liae emu acsiviey as carried on -
Moulu 10 80 cnansed .riat human stl1ler-
ing .1 Moulo DC reduced 10 minimum
w has Wouio DC tne resuit II an Tie
cnurcn members OF TINS Guy tried 70 40
as . esus "onla oo9 IL Is not posslple TO
say ~ ue1aii wiiao tiie ei.ect woula DE,
;nstantly tho hnman nroblen NJ .son,d hs'
g;n e find On adennota .ns.ar
uWbat 10 tbe tast nf S,b,;st;an d;so;-
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