Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-07-09
IN HIS STEPS.
"What Would Jesus DO?"
By CHARLES M. SHELDON.

ing and the meeting had come to an
end, after social gathering which was
very informal. He asked it while the
little company of residents, with the
Raymond visitors, were having devo
tional service, as the custom in the set
Element was He asked it during a con-
ference with the bishop and DIR. Bruce
which lasted until 1 o'clock. He asked
it as he kneeled again before sleeping
and poured out his soul in his petition
for spiritual baptism on the church in
America such as it had never known.
He asked it the first thing in the morn
ing and all through the day as he went
over the settlement district and saw the
life of the people so far removed from
the life abundantly. Would the church
members, would the Christians, not
only in the churches of Chicago, but
throughout the country, refuse to walk
in his steps if, in order to do so, they
must actually take up cross and fol-
low him?
This was the one question that con-
annually demanded answer He had
planned, when he came to the city, to
return to Raymond and be in his own
pulpit on Sunday, but Friday morning
he had received at the settlement a call
from tie pastor of one of the largest
churches in Chicago and had been in
vited to fill the pulpit for both morning
and evening services.
At first he hesitated, but finally &C.
cepted, seeing in it the hand of the
Spirits guiding power. He would test
his own question. He would prove the
truth or falsity of the charge made
against the church at the settlement
meeting. How far would it go in it's
self denial for Jesus sake? How close
would it walk in 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 in his soul,
even during his strongest experiences
in Raymond. He had, in fact, entered
upon a new experience. The definition
of his own discipleship was receiving
an added test at this time, and he was
being led into a larger truth of his
Lord.
The great church was filled to its ut
most. Henry Maxwell, coming into the
pulpit from that all night vigil, felt the
pressure of a great curiosity on the part
of the people. They had heard of the
Raymond movement, as all the churches
had, and the recent action of DR.. Bruce
had added to the general interest in the
pledge. With this curiosity was some
thing deeper, more serious. Mr.. Max
well felt that also, and in the knowledge
that the Spirits presence was his living
strength he brought his message and
gave it to the church that day.
He had never been what would be
called great preacher. He had not the
force or the quality that makes remark
able preachers. But ever since he had
promised to do as Jesus would do he
had grown in a certain quality of per-
suasiveness that had all the essentials of
true eloqueIice. This morning the peo-
pie felt the complete sincerity and hu
mility of man who had gone deep into
the heart of a great truth. After tell
ing briefly of some results in his own
church in Raymond since the pledge (.
was taken he went on to ask the ques-
ton he had been asking since the settle
ment meeting. He had taken for his .
theme the story of the young man who
came to Jesus asking what he must do
him: Sell all that thou hast and give {
to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure ;
in heaven. And, come; follow me-" .
But the young man was not willing to .
suffer to that extent If following Jesus
meant suffering in that way, he was
not willing. He would like to follow
Jesus, but not if he had to give up so
much.
els it true" continued Henry Max
well. and his fine, thoughtful face
glowed with a passion of appeal that
stirred the people as they had seldom
been stirred-''is it true that the church
of today, the church that is called after
Christ's own name, would refuse to
follow Jesus at the expense of suffering,
of physical loss, of temporary gain2
The statement was made at large
gathering in the settlement last week
by a leader of workingmen that it was
hopeless to look to the church for any
reform or redemption of society. On
what was that statement based? Plain
" on the assumption that the church
contained for the most part men and
women who thought more of their own
ease and luxury than of the sufferings
and needs and sins of humanity. How
far was that true? Are the Christians
of America ready to have their disciple
ship tested2 How about the men who
possess large wealth. Are they ready to
take that wealth and use it as Jesus
wouldf How about the men and women
of great talent? Are they ready to con-
secrate that talent to humanity, as Jesus
undoubtedly would do?
lis it not true that the call has come
in this age for new exhibition of dis
cipleship, Christian discipleship? You