Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-11-04


 that announced her intense. eager an tieipation os the scene that was to fol low
 And she was not alone in her atti tude There was something in the prayer and the result of 1T that stirred many and many disciple in Nazareth Avenue church All over the house men and women leaned forward, and when Dr. Bruce began to speak of his visit to Raymond in the opening sentences of his address which this morning pre- ceded his sermon, there was an answer ing response in the church that came back to him as he spoke and thrilled him with the hope of spiritual bap- tism such as he had never during all his ministry experienced
 ssI am just back from a visit to Ray mond. Dr Bruce began, land want to tell you something of my impressions of the movement there.
 He paused, and his look went over his people with yearning for them and at the same time with a great uneer- tainty at his heart How many of his rich. fashionable. refined, luxury loving members would understand the nature of the appeal he was soon to make to them He wes altogether in the dark as to that Nevertheless he had been through his desert and had come out of it ready to suffer He went on now aft CT that brief pause and told the story of his stay in Raymond. The people al ready knew something of that experi- ment in the First church. The whole country had watched the progress of l the pledge as it had become history in So many lives Henry Maxwell had at i last decided that the time had come to seek the fellowship of ether churches throughout the country The new dis eipleship in Raymond had proved to be so valuable in it's results that Henry l Maxwell wished the church in general to share with the disciples in Ray mond. Already there had begun a vol unteer movement in many of the churches throughout the country, act i ing on their own desire to walk closer in the steps Of Jesus. The Christian Endeavor societies had with enthusiasm in many churches taken the pledge to 1 do as Jesus would do and the result was already marked in deeper spir- itual life and power in church infu- ence that vas like new birth for the members
 All this pr. Bruce told his
 simply and with a personal interest that evidently led the way to his announce ment, which now followed Felicia had listened to every word with strained attention. She sat there by the side of Rose in contrast like fire beside snow, ] although even Rose was as alert and excited as she could be
 Dear friends, he said, and for the first time since his prayer the emotion of the occasion was revealed in his voice and gesture, '.I am going to ask that Nazareth Avenue church take the same pledge that Raymond church has taken. know what this will mean to you and me It will mean the complete change of very many habits, It will mean possibly social loss. It will mean very probably in many cases loss of money. It will mean suffering It will mean what following Jesus meant in the first century, and then it meant suffering, loss, hardship. separation from every thing un-Christian But what does following Jesus mean2 The test of diseipleship is the same now as then. Those of you who volunteer in the Nazareth Avenue church to do as Jesus would do simply promise to walk in his steps. as he gave us command ment. .
 Again Rev Calvin Bruce, pastor of A ol,, now the result of his announcement was plainly visible in tdle stir that went over the congregation He added in a ! quiet voice that all who volunteered to make the pledge to do as Jesus would do were asked to remain after the morning service.
 Instantly he proceeded with his ser mon. His taxt was from Matthew viii 10, Master. will follow thee whither- soever thou goest.
 It was sermon that touched the deep springs of conduct. It was q rev. elation to the people of the definition their pastor had been learning It took them back to the first century of Chris tianity. Above all. it stirred them be- low the conventional thought of years as to the meaning and purpose of church membership 1t was sach sermon as man can preach once in lifetime and with enough in it for people to live on all through lifetime.
 The service closed in hush that was slowly broken People rose here aald ] there few at a time. There was re- luctance in the movements of the peo- i pie that was very striking.
 Rose, however walked straight out the pew, and as she reached the aisle she turned her head and beckoned to Felicia By that time the congregation was rising all over the church.
 Felicia instantly answered her sis ter's look.
 ''I'm going to stay. she said. and ] Rose had heard her sneak in the same