The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-09-05

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 sensation that such q
simple proposition apparently made.
Men glanced at II another in aston
ishment. 1t was not like Henry Max
we'll to define Christian discipleship in
this way. There was evident confusion
of thought over his proposition. 1t was
understood we'll enough, but there was
apparently a great difference of opinion
as to the application of Jesus teaching
and example.
Henry Maxwell calmly closed the
service with a brief prayer. The organ
list began his postlude Immediately aft
er the benediction, and the. people be-
gan to go out. There was a great deal
of conversation. Animated groups stood
all over the church discussing the min
ister's proposition. 1t was evidently
provoking great discussion. After sew
eral minutes Henry Maxwell asked all
who expected to remain to pass into,
tie 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 see the peo-
pie who We're there. lie had not made
up his mind about any of his members.
but he had hardly expected that So
many We're ready to enter into such a..
literal testing of their discipleship as:
nov awaited them. There We're perhaps.
so members present. Among them We're
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
/ group. His face was pale. and his lips
trembled with emotion. 1t was to him
a genuine crisis in his own life and that
] of his parish. No man can tell until he
is moved by the Divine Spirit what he
may do or how he may change the cur
rent of a lifetime of fixed habits of
thought and speech and action. Henry
Maxwell did not, as we have said. yet
know himself all that he was passing
through. but he was conscious Of a.
great upheaval in his definitions of
Christian discipleship, and he vas
moved with a depth of feeling he could
not measure as he looked into the faces.
of these men and women on this occa-
sion.
1t seemed to him that the most fitting
word to be spoken first was that Of
prayer. He asked them all to pray with
him, and almost with the first syllable
he uttered there was a distinct presence
Of the Spirit felt by them all. AS the.
prayer Went on this presence grew in
power. They all felt it. The room was
filled with it as plainly as if it had been.
visible. When the prayer closed. there
was a silence that lasted several mo-
ments. ALI the heads were bowed.
Henry MaNwell's face was wet with
tears. If an audible voice from heaven
had sanctioned their pledge to follow
the Masters steps, not one person pres
ent could nave felt more certain of the
Divine blessing. And so the most seri-
u movement ever started in the First
church of Raymond was begun.
1--WE all understand, said Henry
Maxwell, speaking very quietly. what
we have undertaken to do. We pledge
ourselves to do everything in our daily
lives after asking the question. What
would Jesus do?' regardless of what
may be the result to us. Some time 1
shall be able to tell you what a marvel
Gus change has come over my life with
in u week time. | cannot now. But
the experience | nave been through
since last Sunday has left me so dissat-
isfied with my previous definition of
discipleship that | have been compelled
to take this action. did not dare be-
gin it alone. know that l am being
led by the hand of Divine love in all
this. The same Divine impulse must
have led you also. Do we understand.
fully what we have undertaken2'
81 want to ask a question" said
Rachel Winslow.
Every one turned toward her. Her
face glowed With a beauty that no love-
illness could ever create.
81 am a little in doubt as to the,
source of u knowledge concerning
what Jesus would do. Who is to decide
for me just what he would do in my
case? 1t is a different age. There are
many perpleSing questions in our civil
l~ization that are not mentioned in the
teaching of Jesus. How anu | going to.
tell what he would do?''
"There is no way that l know of"
replied Mr.. Maxwell. except as we
study Jesus through the medium of the
Holy Spirit. You remember what Christ
said speaking to his disciples about the.
Holy Spirit:
"'Howbeit. when he. the Spirit of
Truth is come. he shall guide you into.
all the truth. for he shall not speak
from himself. But what things soever
he shall hear, these shall he speak, and
he shall declare unto you the things
that are to come. He shall glorify me,