Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-10-19

paratively few men in the hail, now
being held quiet for awhile by Rachels
voice, represented thousands of others
Just like them, to whom church and
n minister stood for less than n saloon
or a beer garden rs n source of comfort
or happiness Ought it to he so2 If the
church members were all doing as Jesus
would do could it remain true that
armies of men would walk the streets
for jobs and hundreds of them curse
the church and thousands of them find
in the saloon their best friend2 How
far were the Christians responsible for
this human problem that was personally
illustrated right in this hall tonight2
Was it true that the great city churches
would, as rule, refuse to walk in Je-
sus steps so closely as to suffer, actual
ly suffer, for his sake2
Henry Maxwell kept asking this ques-
ton even after Rachel had finished sing
ing and the meeting had come to an
end, after a social gathering which was
very informal. He asked it while the
little company of residents, with the
Raymond visitors were having n dovo-
tional service, as the custom in the set
Element was. He asked it during con-
ference with the bishop and DIR. Bruce
which lasted until o clock. He asked
it rs he kncelcd again before sleeping
and poured ont his soul in his petition
for spiritual baptism on the church in
America such as it had never known.
He asked it the first thing in the morn
ing and all through the day as he went
over the settlement district and saw the
life of the people so far removed from
the life abundantly. Would the church
members, would the Christians, not
only in the churches of Chicago, but
throughout the country, refuse to walk
in his steps it, in order TO do SO, they
must actually take up cross and fol-
low him?
. This was the one question that con-
tinually demanded answer. He had
planned, when he came to the city, to
return to Raymond and be in his own
pulpit on Sunday, but Friday morning
. he had received at the settlement call
from the pastor of one of the largest
churches in Chicago and had been in
vited to fill the pulpit for both morning
: ana evening services.
At first he hesitated, but finally ac-
. cepted, seeing in it the hand of the
Spirit guiding power. He would test
, his own question. He would prove the
truth or falsity of the charge made
I against the church at the settlement
: meeting. How far would it go in its
5 self denial for Jesus sake? How close
f would it walk in his steps? Was the
, church willing to suffer for its Master
Saturday night he spent in prayer
nearly the whole night. There had new
Ell been so great wrestling in his soul,
, even during his strongest experiences
a in Raymond. lie had, i'll fact, entered
upon Il new experience The definition
of his own discipleship was receiving
a an added test at this time, and he was
being led into a larger truth of his
| Lord.
The great church was filled to its Mt
most. Henry Maxwell, coming into the
o pulpit from that all night vigil, felt the
Z pressure of "A great curiosity on the part
of the people. They had heard Of the
= Raymond movement, as all the churches
s had, and the recent action of DIR. Bruce
= had added to the general interest in the
g pledge. With this curiosity was some
thing deeper, more serious. Mr.. Max
e well felt that also, and in the knowledge
g chat the Spirits presence was his living
t strength he brought his message and
k gave it to the church that day
Y He had never been what would be
r called great preacher He had not the
@ force or the quality that makes remark
h able preachers But ever since he hat
n promised to do as Jesus would do he
had grown in certain quality of per
4 suasiveness that had all the essentials o.
n true eloquence. This morning the PEG
, pie felt the complete sincerity and hu
l. lnilty of man who had gone deep into
d the heart of a great truth. After tell
, ing briefly of some results in his owl
Il church in Raymond since the pledge
8 was taken he went on to ask the ques
k ton he had been asking since the settle
) ment meeting. He had taken for hi
Y theme the story of the young man wh'
q came to Jesus asking what he must Dc
d to obtain eternal life. Jesus had testeC
d him: "Sell all that thou hast and Civ
d to the poor, and thou shalt have treasur,
IS in heaven. And, come; follow me.
d But the young man was not willing II
\ suffer to that extent. If following Jesu
d meant suffering in that way, he wa
If not willing. He would like to follow
/. Jesus, but not if ne had to give up S,
IF much
% "Is it true" continued Henry Max
IS well, and his fine, thoughtful fac
a glowed with a passion of appeal tina
,r stirred the people az they had seldom
been stirred-"is it true that the churcl
It of today, the church that is called afte
lie Christ : own name, would refuse +
st follow Jesus at the expense of suffering
FL of physical loss, of temporary gain
IA The statement was made at larg
Is gathering in the settlement last wee
n by a leader of workingmen that it wa
sr hopeless to look to the church for an
A, reform or redemption of society. Or
s. what was that statement based Plain
n ly on the assumption that the churc
10 contained for the most part men an
If women who thought more of their ow
j. ease and luxury than of the suffering
le and needs and sins of humanity. HOY
re far was that true? Are the Christian
a., of America ready to haye THAR al sci nj,