Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-01-31
terness toward Tie church mat was

terness' toward lie church That was
what smote Henry Maxwell deepest.
: Was the church. then, SO far from the
Master that the people no longer found
him in the church? Was it true that
the church had lost its power over the
very kind Of humanity which in the
early ages Of Christianity it reached in
the greatest numbers? How much was
true in what the socialist leader said
about the uselessness of looking to the
church for reform or redemption be-
cause OF the selfshness and seclusion
and aristocracy Of its members?
He was more and more impressed
with the appalling fact that the COM
paratlvely few men in the hall, now
being held quiet for awhile by Rachel's
voice, represented thousands Of others
just like them. to whom a church and
a minister stood for less than saloon
or beer garden as source of comfort
or happiness Ought it to be so? If the
church members were all doing as Jesus
would do. could it remain true that
armies Of men would walk the streets
for jobs and hundreds of them curse
the church and thousands Of them find
in the saloon their best friend? How
tar were the Christians responsible for
this human problem that was personally
illustrated right in this hall tonight?
Was it true that the great city churches
would, as rule. refuse to walk in Je-
sus' steps so closely as to suffer. actual.
ly suffer. for his sakeY
Henry Maxwell kept asking this ques-
ton even after Rachel had finished sing
ing and the meeting had come to an
end. after social gathering which was
terry informal. He asked it while the
little company of residents with the
Raymond visitors, were having devo-
tlonal service as the custom in the set
Element was. He asked it during con.
ference with the bishop and Dr. Bruce
which lasted until clock He asked
1t 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-
tinually 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 call
from the 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. Hc would prove the
truth or falsity Of the charge made
against the church at the settlement
meeting. How far would it 20 in it's
self denial for Jesus sake? How close
would it walk in his steps? Was the
church willing to suffer for it's 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
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
we'll 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-
suasiyeness that had all the essentials of
true eloaucnce. 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 nan who
came to Jesus asking what he must do
to obtain eternal life. Jesus had tested
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 50
much.
lifted States Mps*:.