The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-01-25

"Are we ready to make and live a
new discipleshipr Are we ready to re-
consider our definition of Christian I
What is it to be u Christianr 1t is to
initiate Jesus. 1t is to do as he would
do. 1t is to walk in his steps
When Henry Maxwell finished his
sermon. he paused and looked at the
people with a look they never forgot
and at the moment did not understand.
Crowded into that fashionable church
that day We're hundreds of men and
women who had for years lived the
easy, satisfied life Of nominal Chris
tianity. A great silence fell over the
congregation. Through the silence there
came to the consciousness of all the
souls there present knowledge, stran-
ger to them now TO years, of a Divine
power. Every one xpected the preacher
to call for volunteers who would do as
Jesus would do, but Henry Maxwell
had been led by the Spirit to deliver
his message this time and wait for re-
suits to come.
He closed the service with tender
prayer that kept the Divine presence
lingering very near every hearer, and
the people slowly rose to go ont.
Then followed scene that would
have been impossible if any mere man
had been alone in his striving for re-
suits.
Men and women in great numbers
,rowded around the platform to see
Henry Maxwell and to bring him the
promise of their conservation to the
pledge to do os Jesus would do 1t
was voluntary, spontaneous move
ment that broke upon Maxwelis soul
with result he could not measure. But
had he not been praying for this very
thing3 1t was an answer that more
than met his desires.
There followed this movement a
prayer service that in its impressions
repeated the Raymond experience. In
the evening, to Maxwells intense joy.
the Endeavor society, almost to mem-
ber, came forward. as SO many of the
church members had done in the morn
ing, and seriously. solemnly. tenderly,
took the pledge to do as Jesus would
do. A deep wave of spiritual baptism
broke over the meeting near its close
that was indescribable in its tender,
joyful, sympathetic results.
That was remarkable day in the
history of that church. but even more
SO in the history of Henry Maxwell. He
left the meeting very late. He went to
his room at the settlement. where he
was still stopping, and after an hour
with the bishop and DR.. Bruce. spent in
q joyful rehearsal of the wonderful
events Of the day, he sat down to think
over again by himself all the experience
he was having as Christian disciple.
He kneeled to pray. as he always did
now. before going to sleep. and 1t was
while be was on his knees this night
that he had . waking vision Of what
might b In the world when once the
new discipleship had made its way into
the conscience and consciousness Of
Christendom. He was fully conscious OF
being awake. but no less certainly did
it seem to him that he saw certain re-
suits with great distinctness, partly as
realities Of the future. partly as great
longings that they might be realities
and this is what Henry Maxwell saw in
this waking vision:
He saw himself first going back to the
First church in Raymond, living there
in simpler, more self denying fashion
than he had yet been willing to observe,
because he saw ways in which he could
help others who were really dependent
on him for help. He also saw more dim
ly that the time would come when his
position as pastor Of the church would
cause him to suffer more, on account Of
growing opposition to his Interpretation
Of Jesus and his conduct. but this was
vaguely outlined. Through it all he
heard the words, my grace is suffi-
cient for thee
He saw Rachel Winslow and Virginia
Page going on with their work Of serv.
ice at the Rectangle and reaching out
loving hands of helpfulness far beyond
the limits of Raymond. Rachel he saw
married to Rollin Page, both fully con-
secrsted to the Masters use. both fol-
lowing in his steps with an eagerness
intensified and purified by their love
for each other, and Rachel's voice sang
ON in the slums and dark places of de-
spair and sin and drew lost souls back
to God and heaven once more.
He saw President Marsh Of the COL
lege using his great learning and his
great influence to purify the city, to
ennoble its patriotism, to inspire the
young men and women who loved as
well as admired him to live lives Of
Christian service, always teaching them
that education means great responsible
ity for the weak and the ignorant. He
saw Alexander Powers meeting with
sore trials in his family life, with a
constant sorrow in the estrangement Of
wife and friends. but still going his
way in all honor, seeing and living in
all his strength the Master, whom he
had obeyed even unto loss Of social dis
tinction and wealth.
He saw Milton Wright, the merchant,
meeting with preat reveraes. thrown