The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-07
Copsriahted and published in bool; form by the
4dcance Publishing CO. Vt Chicago.


ness and money making. One class IS
Just as bad rs another there.
Cricsot That 5 so! on re right
..Of course. interrupted the speaker,
and the minute he sat down two men
who were on their feet Tor several sec
onds before the first speaker was through
began to talk at once.
The bishop called them to order and
indicated which was entitled to the
floor. The man who remained standing
began eagerly:
This is the first time I was ever in
here, and maybe it Il be the last. Fact
is. I'm about at the end of my string.
I've tramped this city for work until
I'm sick. I'm in plenty Of company
Say, I'd like to ask question Of the
minister if it's fair May 1?'
That's for Mr. Maxwell to say,
said the bishop.
.sBy all means replied Mr.. Max
we'll Quickly. ..Of course I will not
promise to answer it to the gertleman,s
satisfaction.
This is my question. . The man
leaned forward and stretched out long
arm, with certain atic force that
grew naturally enough out of his con-
cition as human being. 4 want to
know what Jesus would do in my case?
I haven had stroke OF work for two
months. I've got wife and three chill
dren. and I love them as much as II |
was worth million dollars I've been
living off little earnings l saved up
during the Worlds fair jobs got I'm
carpenter by trade. and I've tried ev-
cry way know to get q job. You say
we ought to take for cur motto 'N hat
would Jesus do?' What would he do II
he was out of work like me? can be
somebody else and ask the question |
want to work I'd give anything to
grow tired of working ten hours day
the way l used to. Am / to blame be-
cause I can t manufacture job for my
self? I've got to live and my wife and
nv children. But how? What would
Jesus do? You say that's the question
we all ought to ask.
Henry Maxwell sat there staring at
1.-THE great sea Of faces all intent on his,
and no answer to this mans question
seemed, for the time being, to be posi-
BILE. .sOGod!' his heart prayed This
is a question that brings up the entire
social problem in all its perplexing en-
tanglement of human wrongs and It's
present condition. contrary to every de-
sire of God for a human beings vel
fare. Is there any condition more awful
than for man in good health. able and
eager to work with no means OF honest
livelihood unless be does work. actually
unable to get anything to do and driven
to one of three things-begging for
charity at TIE hands OF friends or
strangers CT suicide or starvation?
What would Jesus Go? It was a fair
question for the man to ask. 1t was the
only question he could ask, supposing
him-to be disciple of Christ. but what
question for any man to be obliged to
ask under such cocd;tions!'
All this and n.o-e aid Eeca-y -1azwel
ponder. All the otneIs were tt::::,,zii,..s55 n
the same way. TIE bishop SGT there
with q loo:- so stern and sad tha: It was
not hard to tell how TIE question moved
him. Dr.. Bruce had his head bowed.
The human problem had never seemed
to him SO tragic as since he had taken
the pledge a2d lett his church 60 enter
the settlement. What would Jesus 90?
1t was a terrible question. and still the
man stood there. tall and gaunt and al
most terrible with his arm stretched
out in an appeal which grew every sec
ond in meaning
st lengel NJ NJ Maxwell spo?ze:
,.Is there any n1an in the roo,n who
! is Christian disciple who has been IN
this condition ard has tried to Go as
Jesus would Go! If SO. such g man cal2
answer his question better than | can.
There was q moment hush over the
room. ana then g nan ne;:r the front OF
the hall slowly rose He was an cid
man. ard the hand he laid on TIE back
OF the beach IN front OF him t.:emblad
rs he SPOKE
Il think can s2fely say t,,ae have
many times been il just such a condi-
ton ard have always tried to be g.
: Christian under all conditions. | don
know that l haze always asked this
question What wog1ld Jesus do, when
have been cut of work. but Go know
| have tried to be his disciple at all
times. Yes the man Went on. with a
sad smile that was more pathetic TO the
bishop and Mr.. Maxwell than the young
man grim despair-''yes. l have beg
ged. and / have been to the charity or
ganizations and ! have done every
thing when OFT Of job, except steal
and lie. in order to get food and fuel |
dent know that Jesus would have done
some of the things have been obliged
i to DO for a living. hut know have
never knowingly done wrong when out
of work Sometimes / think maybe he
would have starved sooner than beg /
| don't know
The old mans voice trelnbled. and he