The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-03-09

uonal ScIN,!cc, as the custom in the set
tlclaout was, He asked it during n con.
ference with the bishop and Dr. Bruce
which lastcd mt. l O'Clock He asked
ii ~ he krcclcG again before sleeping
and poured on; his sorl in his petition
for spiritual baptism on the church in
AmcriI;s such as il had never known
Hc asked il tGe first thing il the morn
in- ana all through the day as lie went
over the settlement district and saw the
life 9. the v'o9l" 50 far removed from
the life ahuraantly Would the church
members, would the Christians, not
only IL the churches of Chicago. Int
throughout the country, refuse to walk
in his steps if, in order to DO so, they
must actually take mp a cross and fol
low him:
This was che one question that con-
t;uu"l.y demanded answer He had
planned, vhci. lie came 10 the city. 10
return - Raymond and be il his own
pulpit on Sunday. but friday morning
be had received u the settlement call
from Tie pastor Cf one Of the largest
churches il Chicago and had been in
vitrd 70 I'll tho pulpit for both morning
and evc.:I, services.
- f-.t he hesitatcd, but finally ac-
ca?cgi. sae!GS in it the hand Of the
Sp!r:t ; guiding power. He would test
his OWE question. He would provo the
truth CT fals.ty CT TIE charge made
against the church Gt the settlement
meeting How far would it go in its
self denial for Jesus sake? How close
would it wall, il his steps? Was the
church willing to suffer for its Master?
Saturday night he spent in prayer
nearly the whole night. There had new
er been so great wrestling III his soul.
even during his strongest experiences
in Raymond. He had. in fact, entered
upon ii Ecw experience. The definition
Of his own disciploship was receiving
an added test at this time, and he was
being led into larger truth of his
Lord.
The great church Was filled to its ut
most. Henry Maxwell. coming into the
pulpit from that al night vigil, felt the
pressure Of Il great curiosity on the part
CT the people. They had heard of the
Raymond movement, as all the churches
had, and tho recent action of DIR. Bruce
had added TO the general interest in the
pledge. With this curiosity Was some
thing deeper, more sorioUs Mr.. Max
well fclt that also. and in the knowledge
that tie Spirits presence WAS his living
strength he brought his message and
gave it t. the church that day.
He had never been what would bC
called Il great preacher. He had not the
| force or the quality that makes remark
! able preachers. But ever since Lu had
! promised TO do as Jesus would 60 hg
! had grown in ~ certain quality Of per
sUa#ivencss that had all the essentials oi
! true clCqucnce. This morning the pco.
! pic felt tho complete sincerity and hC
! mihty of u man who had gone deep into
! the heart of Il great truth. After tell
, ing briefly Of some results in his owl
! church III Raymond since the pledge
; was taken he went on TO ask the QucG
ton he had been asking since the settle
mcnt meeting. He had taken for hi
theme the story Of the young man wht
cane to Jesus asking what he must d'
d, TO obtain eternal life Jeans had tcstcC
! him: Sell ali that th0u hast and givt
to thc Eocr. and thou shalt have treasur,
in heaven. And. come; follow me.
! But the young man was not willing t.
! suffer to that extent. II following Jcsu
| meant suffering in that way. he wa
not willing. He would like to follow
Jesus but not if he had to give up G.
/ much.
lis it true, continued Henry Max
well. and his fine. thoughtful fac
/ glowed with n passion Of appeal tha
stirred the people as they had seldom
been atirred--"is it trne that the churcl