Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-09-16

- faced it all with q calmness which in dicated strength and purpose moro than usual His prayers were very helpful His sermon was not so easy to describe How would minister be apt to preach to his people if he came before them after an entire week of eager ask ing How woult Jesus preach What would he probably say G3 1t is very certain that Henry Maxwell did not preach as he had done two Sundays be- fore Tuesday of the past week he had stood by the grave of the dead stranger and said the words. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust and still he was moved by the spirit of . deeper impulse than he could measure as he thought of bis people and yearned for the Christ message when he should De iii his pulpit again.
 Now that Sunday had come and the people were there to hear, what would the Master tell them? He agonized over his preparation for them. and yet he knew lie had not been able 10 fit his message into his ideal of the Christ. Nevertheless no one in the First church could remember hearing such sermon before There was i'll it rebuze for sin. especially hypocrisy; there was definite rebuke of the greed of wealth and the selfshness of fashion, two things that First church never heard rebuked this way before. and there was love of his people that gathered new force as tho sermon went on. When it was finished, there were those who were saying i'll their hearts. .'The Spirit moved that sermon And they were right.
 Then Rachel Winslow rose to sing, this time, after the sermon. by Henry Maxwell srequest. Rachel singing did not provoke applause this time. What deeper feeling carried peoples hearts into reyerent silence and tenderness of thought? Rachel was beautiful, but the consciousness of her remarkable loveliness had always marred her sing ing with those who had the deepest spiritual feeling. 1t had also marred her rendering of certain kinds of music with herself Today this was all gone. There was no lack of power i'll her grand voice, but there was an actual added element of humility and purity which the audience strictly felt and bowed to.
 Before the service closed Henry Max well asked those had remained the week before 10 stay again for Q few moments for consultation and any oth- CTS who were willing to make the pledge taken at that time. When he
 
 room To his aatonishment. 1t was al- most filled. This time large propor- tion of young people had come, but among them were few business men and officers of the church.
 As before. Henry Maxwell asked them to pray with him, and. as before, distinct answer came in the presence of the Divine Spirit. There was 10 doubt in the minds of any one present that what they proposed to do was so clearly in line with the Divine will that 3 blessing rested on it in T very special manner.
 They remained some time to ask questions and consult tegether.t There was a feeling of fellowship such as they had never known in their church mem bership. Edward Norman s action was well understood by them all. and he answered several questions.
 What will be the probable result of your diseontinuance of the Sunday pa- per- asked Alexander Powers, who sat next to him.
 '.I don't know yet. presume it will fn1It.,.e cff GIT tf,9sca and advertisements.4I anticipate that.
 Do you have any doubts about your aetion2 l mean do you regret it for fear it is not what Jesus would dor asked Henry Maxwell
 Mot in the least but would like to ask for my own satisfaction if any one of you here thinks Jesus would is- sue Sunday isorning paper '
 No one spoke for minute. Then Jasper Chase said. We seem tse-t,nifiK alike on that but have been puzzled several times during the week to know just what he would do. 1t is not all ways an easy question to answer.
 q find that trouble. ]" said Virginia Page She sat by Rachel Winslow. Ev- cry one knew who Virginia Page was, | wondering how she would succeed in keeping her promise
 q think perhaps l find it specially l difficult to answer the question on ac- count of my money Jesus never owned any property, and there is nothing in his example to guide me in the use of mine l am studying and praying. I think I see clearly part of what he would do, but not all What would Jesus do with a million dollarsg z is my l question really l confess that am not | yet able to answer 1t to my satisfac l tion. :"
 ..I could tell you what to do with . part of it. said Rachel, turning her 1 face toward Virginia.
 "That does not trouble me. replied | Virginia, with slight smile. What I