The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-29

not surprised tnat tue i::;c.=r nUln ncrs
have Joined the now diGciriCSh:p from
th" EnGcavor society
IL am sure the first GIestion y0u will
us; is. What has been thu result OF
this attempt, what has it accomplished
or how has it changed III any way the
regular course of the church or the com.
munityY --.
''IOu already know something from
reports Of Raymond that have gone over
the country what the results have been
but one needs to come here and learn,
something of the changes in individual
!ivcs. and especially the change in the
church life. TO realize ali that is meant
by this following of Jesus steps SO lit
orally To tell all that would be to
write II long story or series of stories.
! ain not in y position TO do that. but
can give you some idea perhaps of what
mas happened here from what has been
told me by ,ny friends and Henry Max,
well himself
THE result Of the pledge upon the
First church has Eeen twofold-it has
brought about spirit of Christian fel-
lowship which Maxwell tells me never
before existed and which now impresses
him as being very nearly what the
Christian fellowship of the apostolic
churches must have been. and it has
divided the church into two distinct
groups Of members. Those who have
not taken the pledge regard the others
initiate the example Of Jesus
xr ~
the church and no longer attend, or
they have removed their membership
entirely to other churches Some are
an internal element of strife. and
heard rumors Of an attempt on their
part to force Maxwell's resignation
do not know that this element is very
strong in the church. It has been held
in check by wonderful continuance of
spiritual power. which dates from the
first Sunday the pledge was taken q
year ago. and also by the fact that s6
many of the most prominent members
have been identified with the move.
ment
The effect on Henry Maxwell il
very marked 1 heard him preach al
our state association four years ago Ht
considerable power in dramatic deliv.
cry, OF which he himself was somewha1
conscious. His sermon was well writ
ten and abounded in what tho seminary
students used to call fine passages.
The effect of it was what tho average
congregation would call pleasing Th;.
morning / heard Maxwell preach aGaii
for the first time since then. shul
speak of that further on. He is not tlc
same man. He gives me tho impression
s<:s%ono who has passed through O. crisi.
ofurevolution He teIfs me this revol a
tion Is simply new definition of Chris
tian discipleship. He certainly ka.
changed many OF his old views His at
titude ON the saloon question is radical
ly opposite to the one he entertained {
year ago. and in his entire thought ot
his ministry. his pulpit and parisi
work ! find he, has mado complies
change. So far as / can understand
The idea that is moving him on now i:
thc idea that the Christianity of OF
times must represent more literal IN
itation of Jesus, and especially in The
element OF suffering. He quoted to ne
in the course of our conversation sew
cra) times the verse from Peter, .Fo1
hel eunto were ye called. because Chris
also suffered for you. leaving you NJ
example, that yc should follow hi
steps. and he seems filled with tho con
viction that what our churches ncet
today more than anything clso Is thi
factor of suffering for Jesus in som,
form.
II do not know that I agree Will