The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-24

tnought DacK 10 the frst years OF Chris
tianity. There was something about all
this that was apostolic in its simplicity
and Christ imitation.
II asked questions. One that seemed
to arouse more interest than anv other
was in regard to the extent of TIE
Christian disciples sacrifice of personal
property. Henry Maxwell tells me that
SO far no one has interpreted the spirit
OF Jesus In such a way as to abandon
his earthly possessions. give away all
his wealth or in any literal way initiate
the Christians of the order, for exam
pie. Of ST. Francis Of Assist. 1t was the
unanimous consent, however, that if
any disciple should feel that Jesus in
his own particular case would do that
there could be only one answer to the
question. Maxwell frankly admitted
that he was still. to certain degree,
uncertain as to Jesus probable action
when 1t came to the details of house
hold living. the possession of wealth.
the holding of certain luxuries. It is,
however. evident that very many of
these disciples have repeatedly carried
their obedience to Jesus to the extreme
limit, regardless of financial loss. There
is no lack Of courage or consistency at
this point. It is also true that some of
the business men who took the pledge
have lost great sums of money in this
imitation Of Jesus, and very many
have. like Alexander Powers, lost valu-
able positions owing to the impossibility
OF doing what they had been accus-
toned to do and at the same time doing
what they felt Jesus would do in the
same place. In connection with these
cases 1t is pleasant to record the fact
that many who have suffered in this
way have at once been helped financial
ly by those who still have means. In
this respect think it is true that these
disciples have all things in common.
Certainly such scenes as I witnessed at
the First church at that after service
this morning ! never saw in my church
OF any other. never dreamed that
Sc b Christian fellowship could exist in
this age OF the world / am almost in.
credul0us as to the witness Of my own
senses. ! still seem to be asking myself
II this Is the close Of the nineteenth cen.
tury in America.
"But now. dear friend, come to the
real cause of tho letter. the real heart
OF the whole question as the First
church Of Raymond has forced it upon
me. Before the meeting closed today
steps were taken to secure the cooper.
alton Of all other Christian disciples in
this country think Henry Maxwell
took this step after long deliberation.
He said as much to me one day when
called upon him and we were discuss
ing the effect Of this movement upon
the church in general.
=" why, he said. suppose that the
church membership generally in this
country made this pledge and lived up
to 1T. What revolution it would cause
in Christendoml But why notg Is it
any more than the disciple ought to do?
Has he followed Jesus unless he is will
ing to do thiss Is the test of disciple
ship any less today than it was in Jesus
timer
II do not know all that preceded or
followed his thought of what ought to
be done outside Of Raymond. but the
idea crystallized today in plan to So
cure the fellowship Of all the Christians
In America. The churches through their
pastors will be asked to form disciple
gatherings like the one in the First
church. Volunteers will be called for in
the great body Of church members in
the United States who will promise to
do as Jesus would do. Maxwell spoke
particularly Of the result of such gen.
eral action ON the saloon question. He
Is terribly in earnest over this. He told
me that there was no question in his
mind that the saloon would be beaten
in Raymond at the election now near
at hand II 80. they could 90 on with
some courage to do the redemptive work
begun by the evangelist and now taken
mp by the disciples in bis own church.
II the saloon triumphs again. there will
be a terrible and, as he thinks, unnec-
essary waste Of Christian sacrifice. But,
however We differ on that point, he has
convinced his church that the time has
come for fellowship with other Chris.
tians Surely. if the First church could
work such changes in society and its
surroundings. the church in general, if
combining such fellowship. not of creed,
but OF conduct, ought to stir the entire
nation to higher life and q new con-
ception of Christian following
''This IS grand idea. Caxton, hut
right here is where / find myself hesi-
tating. l do not deny that the Christian
disciple ought to follow Christ's steps
as closely as these here in Raymond
have tried to do, but l cannot avoid
asking what the result will be if l ask
my church in Chicago to do it. am
writing this after feeling the solemn
profound touch of the Spirits presence
and l confess 10 yOu, old friend, that |
cannot call up in my church dozen
prominent business or professional men
who would make this trial at the risk