Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-02-26
In HIS STEPS.
"What Would Jesus Do?"
By CHARLES NJ. SHELDON.
CHAPTER ".

me-
Henry Maxwell paced his study back
and forth 1t was Wednesday, and he
had started to think out the subject of
his evening service which fell upon that
night
Out of one of his study windows he
could see the tall chimneys of the rail
road shops. The top of the evangelist's
tent just showed over the buildings
around the Rectangle.
The pastor of the First church looked
out of this window every time he turned
in his walk After awhile he sat down
at his desk and drew a large piece of
paper toward him.
After thinking several moments he
wrote in large letters the following:
"a NUMBER OF THINGS THAT JESUS WOULD
PROBABLY DO IN THIS PARISH.
al. Live in a simple, plain manner,
without needless luxury on the one
hand or undue asceticism on the other.
''2. Preach fearlessly to the hypo-
critics in the church, no matter what
their social Importance or wealth.
''3. Show in some practical form
sympathy and love for the common peo-
pie as well as for the well to do edu-
OdbCu, pOOp1O VIII 1ICthO up OhO
majority of the church and parish.
"a. Identify himself with the great
causes of humanity in some personal
way that would call for self denial and
suffering.
Raymond
Sc. Become known as friend and
companion of the sinful people in the
Rectangle.
''7. Give up the summer trip to Eu-
rope this year. 1 have been abroad
twice and cannot claim any special
need of rest. 1 am well and could forego
this pleasure, using the money for some
one who needs a vacation more than
do. There are probably plenty of such
people in the city.
$50. What else would Jesus do as
Henry MAXWELL"
He was conscious, with humility
that once was a stranger to him, that
his outline of Jesus probable action
was painfully lacking in depth and
power, but he was seeking carefully for
concrete shapes into which he might
cast his thought of Jesus conduct.
Nearly every point he had put down
meant for him a complete overturning
of the custom and habit of years in the
ministry. In spite of that, he still
searched deeper for sources of the
Christlike spirit. He did not attempt to
write any more, but sat at his desk alb
sorbed in his attempt to catch more and
more of the spirit of Jesus in his own
life. He had forgotten the particular
subject for his prayer meeting with
which he had begun his morning study.
He was so absorbed over his thought
that he did not hear the bell ring, and
he was reused by the servant, who an
nounced caller He had sent up his
name-Mr. Gray. Maxwell stepped to
the head of the stairs and asked Gray
to come up
''We can talk better up here"
So Gray came up and stated the rea-
son for his call
81 want you, Mr.. Maxwell, to help
me OF course you have heard what
wonderful meeting we had Monday
night and last night. Miss Winslow
has done more with her voice than I
could, and the tent won't hold the peo-
Pile
GIVE heard of that It's the first
time the people there have heard her
It's no wonder they are attracted "
sit has been wonderful revelation
to us and most encouraging event in
our work But / came to ask if you
could not come down tonight and
preach. I am suffering with a severe
cold do not dare to trust my voice |
again know it is asking good deal !
for such busy man, but if you can't /
come say so freely. and I'll try some
where else.
'I'm sorry, but it s my regular prayer |
meeting night, said Henry Maxwell
Then he flushed and added: 81 shall be
able to arrange it in some way so as to .
come down. You can count on me.
Gray thanked him earnestly and rose
to go.
won't you stay minute, Gray. |
and let us have prayer together?'
eyes, said Gray simply
So the two men kneeled together in
the study. MIR. Maxwell prayed like
child. Gray was touched to tears as he
kneeled there. There was something al
most pitiful in the way this man, who
had lived his ministerial life in such
narrow limit of exercise, now begged
for wisdom and strength to speak a
message to the people in the Rectangle.
Gray rose and held out his hand.
"God bless you, Mr.. Maxwell. I'm
sure the Spirit will give you power to-
night"
Henry Maxwell made no answer. He
did not even trust himself to say that |
he hoped so, but he thought of his
promise, and it brought certain peace
that was refreshing to his heart and
mind alike.
So that is how it came about that