Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-02-19
IN HIS STEPS.
"What Would Jesus DO?"
By CHARLES M. SHELDON.

+ over she found herself condemned by
the very Judgment she had passed on
Hpllin Page. What purpose had she in
Efe? She had been abroad and studied
mnsic with one of the famous teachers
cf Europe. She had come home to Ray
mpnd and had been singing in the First
Church choir now for year. She was
well paid. Up to that Sunday two weeks
Uago she had been quite satisfied with
herself and her position. She had shared
Hher mothers ambition and anticipated
! Knowing triumphs in the musical world.
What possible career was before her eX-
8cept the regular career of every singer
She asked the question again and, in
the light of her recent reply to Rollin,
liked again if she had any very great
pu rpose in life herself2 What would
Jesus dor There was a fortune in her
VOICE She knew it, not necessarily as
Ua matter of personal pride or profess
8sional egotism, but simply as fact
land she was obliged to acknowledge
THAT until two weeks ago she had pur-
ppsed to use her voice to make money
and win admiration and applause. Was
thai a much higher purpose, after all,
man Rol1in Page lived for?
She sat in her room long time and
fnally went down stairs resolved to
nave a frank talk with her mother
about the concert company's offer and
her new plan, which was gradually
|shaping in her mind. She had already
had one talk with her mother and knew
Hthat she expected Rachel to accept the
0ffer and enter on successful career as
b public singer.
''Mother," Rachel said, coming at
pnce to the point, as much as she dread
ed the interview, Il have decided not
10 go out with the company. l have
mood reason for it. .
Mrs. Winslow was large, handsome
woman, fond of much company, ambi-
Nous for distinct place in society and
|7evoted, according to her definitions of
success, to the success of her children.
Her youngest boy, Lewis, ten years
|Founger than Rachel, was ready to
graduate from military academy in
HE summer. Meanwhile she and Rachel
Eere at home together. Rachel's father,
Ike Virginia. s, had died while the fam
liz were abroad. Like Virginia, she
bund herself, under her present rule of
fpnduct, in complete antagOnism with
her own immediate home circle.
Mrs Winslow waited for Rachel to
20 on.
''You know the promise made two
weeks ago, mother?''
''Mr. Maxwell's promise?''
f'No, mine You know what it was,
.nother2''
81 suppose 1 do. Of course all the
ehurch members mean to initiate Christ
md follow him as far as is consistent
With our present day surroundings. But
What has that to do with your decision
n the concert company's matter?'
cit has everything to do with 1t.
After asking, What would Jesus dor
Ind going to the source of authority for
wisdom have been obliged to say that
III do not believe he would in my case
make that use of my voice. ="
''Why? Is there anything wrong
hbout such a career p
''No; / don't know that I can say
here is. -
''Do you presume to sit in Judgment
bn other people who go out to sing in
mis- way? Do you presume to say that
hey are doing what Christ would not
Ho?''
Mother, 1 wish you to understand
he. l Judge no one else. l condemn no
bther professional singers. [ simply de-
hide my own course. As l look at it, L
have conviction that Jesus would do
omething else. -
EsWhat else?" Mrs. WinslOw had not
ret lost her temper. She did not under
#tand the situation or Rachel in the
midst of it, but she was anxious that
her daughters career should be as dis
inguished as her natural gifts prom
sed, and she felt confident that when
the present unusual religious excite
nent in the First church had passed
bway Rachel would go on with her
public life according to the wishes of
Ehe family. She was totally unprepared
for RachePs next remark
what? Something that will serve
mankind where it most needs the serv-
ce of song Mother, l have made up
ny mind to use my voice in some way
10 as to satisfy my soul that l am doing
W |omething better than pleasing fashion
bile audiences or making money or even
kratifying my own love of singing. I am
koing to do something that will satisfy
he when ask, What would Jesus
o?' and 1 am not satisfied and cannot
be when I think of myself as singing
myself into the career of a concert COM
Bany performer. -
Rachel spoke with a vigor and ear
estness that surprised her mother. Mrs.
Ninslow was angry now, and she never
ried to conceal her feelings.
ct is simply absurd Rachel, you
re a fanaticl What can you do?"
ssThe world has been served by men
nd women who have given it other
limos that were Gifts WHY ShOuld T.