No man was more honored in the community.  There was Alexander Powers, superintendent of the great railroad shops in Raymond, a typical railroad man, one who had been born into the business.  There sat Donald Marsh, president of Lincoln College, situated in the suburbs of Raymond.  There was Milton Wright, one of the great merchants of Raymond, having in his employ at least one hundred men in various shops.  There was Dr. West who, although still comparatively young, was quoted as authority in special surgical cases.  There was young Jasper Chase the author, who had written one successful book and was said to be at work on a new novel.  There was Miss Virginia Page the heiress, who through the recent death of her father had inherited a million at least, and was gifted with unusual attractions of person and intellect.  And not least of all, Rachel Winslow, from her seat in the choir, glowed with her peculiar beauty of light this morning because she was so intensely interested in the whole scene.

There was some reason, perhaps, in view of such material in the First Church, for Henry Maxwell’s feeling of satisfaction whenever he considered his parish as he had the previous Sunday.  There was an unusually large number of strong, individual characters who claimed membership there.  But as he noted their faces this morning he was simply wondering how many of them would respond to the strange proposition he was about to make.  He continued slowly, taking time to choose his words carefully, and giving the people an impression they had never felt before, even when he was at his best with his most dramatic delivery.

“What I am going to propose now is something which ought not to appear unusual or at all impossible of execution.  Yet I am aware that it will be so regarded by a large number, perhaps, of the members of this church.  But in order that we may have a thorough understanding of what we are considering, I will put my proposition very plainly, perhaps bluntly.  I want volunteers from the First Church who will pledge themselves, earnestly and honestly for an entire year, not to do anything without first asking the question, ‘What would Jesus do?’ And after asking that question, each one will follow Jesus as exactly as he knows how, no matter what the result may be.  I will of course include myself in this company of volunteers, and shall take for granted that my church here will not be surprised at my future conduct, as based upon this standard of action, and will not oppose whatever is done if they think Christ would do it.  Have I made my meaning clear?  At the close of the service I want all those members who are willing to join such a company to remain and we will talk over the details of the plan.  Our motto will be, ‘What would Jesus do?’ Our aim will be to act just as He would if He was in our places, regardless of immediate results.  In other words, we propose to follow Jesus’ steps as closely and as literally as we believe He taught His disciples to do.  And those who volunteer to do this will pledge themselves for an entire year, beginning with today, so to act.”