Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-12-14

began Edward Norman attracted su-
eral attention He slt quietly in bis
usual place about tars- seats from the
pulpit The SUNDAY morning Issue Of
The News containing the statement of
it, disc0ntinuanec had been read by
nearly every man in the house. The an
nouncencut had been expressed in such
remarkable language that every reader
was struck by il. No such series u dis
tinct sensations had ever disturbed the
usual business custom of Raymond
The events connected with The News
We're not all People were eagerly talk
ing about the strange things done dur
ing the week by Alexander Powers at
the railroad shops and by Milton Wright
in his stores on the avenue. The service
progressed upon distinct wave II ex-
citement in the pcws. Henry Maxwell
faced it all with calmness which in
dicated strength and purpose more
than usual His prayers We're very
helpful His sermon was not 20 easy 20
describe. How would a minister be apt
to preach To his people il he came befs-re
them after an entire week Of eager ask
ing: How would Jesus preach What
would he probably sayT' IL j. very
certain that Henry Maxwell did not
preach rs he had done two Sundays be-
fore Tuesday Of the past week he had
stood by the grave Of the dead stranger
and said the words. Earth to earth.
ashes To ashes. dust To dust. and still
he was moved by the spirit Of deeper
impulse than he could measure as he
thought of his people and yearned for
the Christ message when he should be
in his pulpit again.
Now that Sunday had come and the
people were there TO hear. what would
the Master tell themf He agonized over
his preparation for them. and yet he
knew he had not been able TO fit his
message into his ideal of the Christ.
Nevertheless no one in the First church
could remember hearing such a sermon
before. There was in il rebuke for sin.
especially hypocrisy: there was definite
rebuke Of the greed Of wealth and the
selfshness of fashion. two things that
First church never heard rebuked this
way before. and there was "a love Of his
people that gathered new force a. the
sermon went on. When il was finished.
there We're those who were saying In
their hearts, The Spirit moved that
sermon. And they were right.
Then Rachel Winslow rose to sing.
this time, after the sermon. by Henry
Maxwell = request Rachel's singing did
not provoke applause this time. What
deeper feeling carried peoples hearts
into q reverent silence and tenderness
of thought Rachel was beautiful bvft
the consciousness Of her remarkable
loveliness had always marred her sing
ing with those who had the deepest
spiritual feeling It had also marred
her rendering of certain kinds OF music
with herself. Today this was all gone.
There was no lack Of power in her
grand voice. but there was an actual
added element Of humility and purity
which the audience strictly felt and
bowed to-
Before the service closed Henry Max
well asked those who had remained
the week before to stay again for n few
moments for consultation and any 9th
ers who were willing TO make the
pledge taken mt that time. When he
was Mt liberty. he went into the lecture
room To his astonishment. 10 was al
most filled. This time a large proper
ton of young people had come. but
among them We're few business men
and officers Of the church
As before. Henry Maxwell asked
them to pray with him. and, ms before
a distinct answer came in the presence
of the Divine Spirit. There was no
doubt in the minds Of any one present
that what they proposed to do was 50
clearly in line with the Divine viii
that a blessing rested on 10 in n very
special manner
They remained some time to ask
questions and consult together. There
was n feeling Of fellowship such ms they
had never known in their church mem
bership Edward Norman's action was
well understood by them all. and he
answered several questions
"What will be- the probable result OF
your discontinuance Of the Sunday pa
peri" asked Alexander Powers. who
sat next 10 him.
II don't know yet l presume it will
result in falling off OF subscriptions
and advertisements. | anticipate that
"Do you have any doubts about your
actionG mean do you regret 10 for
fear il il not what Jesus would dof
asked Henry Maxwell
~"Not in the least. but i would like
to ask for my own satisfaction IL any
one Of YOU here thinks Jesus would Is
cue "a Sunday morning paper
No one spoke for minute. Then
Jasper Chase said: 1--WE seem to think
alike ON that. but have been puzzled
several times during the week TO know
Just what he would do. Ii is not al
ways an easy question TO answer
II find that trouble. " said Virginia
Page. She sat by Rachel Winslow. Ev-
cry one knew who Virginia Page was.
wondering how she would succeed In
keeping her promise.
II think perhaps | find IL specially
difficult TO answer the question on ac-
count of my money. Jesus never owned
any property. and there IL nothing in
his example to guide me In the use 81
mine | am studying and praying l
think SEQ clearly n part of what he
would do. but not all What would
Jesus do with a million dollarsf IL my
question really confess that am not
vet able 10 answer it to my satisfac-
tion.
II could tell you what To do with a
part Of it. said Rachel. turning her
face toward Virginia
THAT does not trouble me. replied
Virginia. with slight smile. What !
am trying 10 discover is u principle -
Jesus that will enable me 10 come ths
nearest possible 20 his action as 10 ought
10 influence the entire course ~ my
life. 80 far as my wealth and It's use are
concerned.
THAT will take time. said Henry
Maxwell slowly All the rest In the
room were thinking hard of the same
thing Milton Wright told something
Of his experience lie was gradually
working out plan for his business re
iations with his employees. AMI ~ was
opening up new world to him and
them. A few 81 the younger men told
of special attempts to answer the ques
tion.
There was almost general consent
over the fact that the application n
the Jesus spirit and practice to every
day life was the serious thing IL re-
quircd knowledge Of him and an In
sight into his ih0tives that most ~ them
did not yet posscss.
when they finally adjourned after a