Middletown transcript., 1899-12-16
PURE

ne taught his disciples to do. And those
who volunteer to do this will pledge
themselves for an entire year. begin.
ming with today, 50 to act"
Henry Maxwell paused again and
looked over his church 1t is not easy
to describe the sensation that such a
simple proposition apparently made.
Men glanced at one another in aston
ishment. 1t was not like Henry Max
well to define Christian discipleship in
this way. There was evident confusion
Of thought over his proposition. It was
understood well enough. but there was
apparently great difference of opinion
as to the application of Jesus teaching
and example.
Henry Maxwell calmly closed the
service with 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
listers proposition. It was evidently
provoking great discussion. After sew
eral minutes Henry Maxwell asked all
who expected to remain to pass into
the 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 were there. He had not made
up his mind about any Of his members,
but he had hardly expected that SO
many were ready to enter into such a
literal testing Of their discipleship as
now awaited them. There were perhaps
30 members present. Among them were
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 lec-
ture room and stood before the little
group. His face was pale, and his lips
trembled with emotion. It 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 was
moved with depth of feeling he could
not measure as he looked into the faces
of these men and women on this occa-
sion.
It seemed to him thatthe 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 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 Maxwell'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 have felt more certain Of the |
Divine blessing. And SO the most seri-
GUS movement ever started in the First /
church of Raymond was begun.
"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 dor regardless Of what
may be the result to u.s. Some time
shall be able'to tell you what marvel
BUS change has come over my life with
In a weeks time. I cannot now. But
the experience I have been through
since last Sunday has left me 50 dissat-
isfed with my previous definition Of
that have been compelled
10 take this action did not dare be-
gin it alone l know that am being
ed by the hand of Divine love in all
his. The same Divine impulse must
nave led you also Do we understand
'ully what we have undertaken
al want to ask a question. said
Rachel Winslow
Every one turned toward her. Her
ace glowed with beauty that no love-
mess could ever create
al am little in DOUBT as to the.
ource of our knowledge concerning
What Jesus would do Who is to decide
or me just what he would do in my
ase9 It is a different age There are
many perplexing questions in our civil
ization that are not mentioned in the
eaching of Jesus How am going to
ell what he would dor
"There is no way that know of.
eplied Mr.. Maxwell except as we j
tudy Jesus through the medium of the ,
Ioly Spirit. You remember what Christ !
aid speaking to. his disciples about the
Ioly Spirit:
{" 'Howbeit. when he. the Spirit Of
ruth is come. he shall guide you into
II the truth. for he shall not speak
rom himself But what things soever
9 shall hear, these shall he speak, and
g shall declare unto you the things
nat are to come. He shall glorify me,
,r he shall take Of mine and shall de-
lare it unto you. All things whatso-
yer the Father hath are mine; there
,re said that he taketh of mine and
lall declare it unto you
ssThere is no other test that know
: We shall all have to decide what
esus would do after going to that
,urce of knowledge.
What if others say of us when we
} certain things that Jesus would not
, soi" asked the superintendent Of
Iiiroads
1--WE cannot prevent that, but we
ust be absolutely honest with our
Ives. The standard of Christian action