The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-09-14


could remember hearing such sermon
before. There was in it rebuke for sin,
especially hypocrisy; there was definite
rebuke of the greed Of wealth and the
selfishness Of fashion, two things that
First church never heard rebuked this
way before, and there was love of his
people that gathered new force as the
sermon went ON. When it was finished,
there were 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 s request. Rachels singing did
not provoke applause this time. What
deeper feeling carried peoples hearts
into reverent silence and tenderness
of thought! Rachel was beautiful, but
the consciousness of her remarkable
loveliness had always marred her sing
ing with those who had the deepest
spiritual feeling 1t had also marTed
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
we'll asked those who had remained
the week before to stay again for few
moments for consultation and any 9th
ers who We're willing to make the
pledge taken at that time. When he
was at liberty he went into the lecture
room. To his establishment, it was al
most filled. This time large proper
tion Of young people had come, but
among them were few business men
and officers of the church.
As before, Henry Maxwell asked
them to pray with him. and, as 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 SO
clearly in line with the Divine will
that blessing rested on it in very
special manner
They remained some time to ask
questions and consult together. There
was feeling of fellowship such as they
had never known in their church men,
bership. Edward Norman's action was
we'll understood by them all. and he
answered several questions.
"What will be the probable result Of
your discontinuance Of the Sunday pa
per ?" asked Alexander Powers, who
sat next to him.
~ don't know yet. presume It will
result in falling off of subscriptions
and advertisements. Ianticipate that.
"Do you have any doubts about your
action2 mean do you regret it for
fear it is not what Jesus would doS"
asked Henry Maxwell.
"Not in the least, but I would like
to ask for my own satisfaction II any
one of you here thinks Jesus would is-
sue Sunday morning paper9"
No one spoke for a 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. 1t 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.
81 think perhaps find it specially
difficult to answer the question on ac-
count Of my money. Jesus never owned
any property, and there is nothing in
his example to guide me in the use Of
mine. l am studying and praying. l
think see clearly part Of what he
would do, but not all. What would
Jesus do with million dollars p is my
question really confess that am not
yet able to answer it to my satisfac-
ton"
II could tell you what to do with q
part of it, said Rachel, turning her
face toward Virginia.
"That does not trouble me. replied
Virginia, with a slis : smile. "What l
am trying to discover is principle Of
Jesus that will enable me to come the
nearest possible to his action as it ought
to influence the entire course of my
life, SO far as my wealth and its 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. He was gradually
working out plan for his business re-
lations with his employees. and It was
opening up new world to him and
them. A few Of the younger men told
of special attempts to answer the ques-
ton
There was almost general consent
over the fact that the application Of
the Jesus spirit and practice to every
day life was the serious thing. It re-
quired a knowledge of him and an In |
sight into his motives that most Of them
did not yet possess.
When they finally adjourned after
silent prayer that marked with grow
ing power the Divine presence, they
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