In His Steps By Charles Sheldon

In His Steps

By Charles Sheldon

In His Steps by Charles Sheldon is the story about when a series of strange things happen in the First Church of Raymond, which leads Pastor Henry Maxwell to ask the congregation the question "What Would Jesus Do?" How will the congregation respond? "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." Will the people of the First Church of Raymond follow in His steps?

The main character of In His Steps is Rev. Henry Maxwell. This story begins on a Sunday morning at the church service of the First Church of Raymond. Rev. Henry had just finished his sermon when a stranger interrupted the service. The stranger explained that he was sickly and expected to live for only a few days. The stranger was dressed like a tramp, but he went on to say how he had been in the town of Raymond for three days looking for a job, and no one had been kind to him except the minister. He went on to say how he did not understand what was meant by following Jesus, because everyone in the First church of Raymond would say they were following in His steps but they would not even help a needy tramp who needed a job. Will the people of Raymond decide to really follow in His Steps?

A week later, Rev. Henry announces that the stranger had died, but had left him with a thought, what would Jesus do? After the sermon was over he asked for volunteers, he said "I want volunteers from the First church who will honestly and earnestly pledge themselves for an entire year not to do anything without asking the question "What would Jesus do"? And after asking the question, each one will follow Jesus as best as he knows how, no matter what the result may be." After saying this, he closed the service, yet many people just stood around and wanted to see what would happen. After a few minutes he asked all who would stay and join the group to move into the lecture room. He was surprised when he entered the lecture room and out of the whole congregation there were just a small group of people. He explained his plans to them. They would not do anything that Jesus would not do