Books with author Charles Monroe Sheldon

In His Steps is a best-selling religious fiction novel written by Charles Monroe Sheldon. First published in 1896, the book has sold more than 50,000,000 copies, and ranks as one of the best-selling books of all time. The full title of the book is In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?.Though variations of the subtitle "What would Jesus do" have been used by Christians for centuries as a form of imitatio dei, the imitation of God, it gained much greater currency following publication of the book.In His Steps takes place in the railroad town of Raymond, probably located in the eastern U.S.A. The main character is the Rev. Henry Maxwell, pastor of the First Church of Raymond, who challenges his congregation to not do anything for a whole year without first asking: “What Would Jesus Do?” Other characters include Ed Norman, senior editor of the Raymond Daily Newspaper, Rachel Winslow, a talented singer, and Virginia Page, an heiress.The novel begins on a Friday morning when a man out of work (later identified as Jack Manning) appears at the front door of Henry Maxwell while the latter is preparing for that Sunday’s upcoming sermon. Maxwell listens to the man’s helpless plea briefly before brushing him away and closing the door. The same man appears in church at the end of the Sunday sermon, walks up to “the open space in front of the pulpit,” and faces the people. No one stops him. He quietly but frankly confronts the congregation—“I’m not complaining; just stating facts.”—about their compassion, or apathetic lack thereof, for the jobless like him in Raymond. Upon finishing his address to the congregation, he collapses, and dies a few days later.That next Sunday, Henry Maxwell, deeply moved by the events of the past week, presents a challenge to his congregation: “Do not do anything without first asking, ‘What would Jesus do?’” This challenge is the theme of the novel and is the driving force of the plot. From this point on, the rest of the novel consists of certain episodes that focus on individual characters as their lives are transformed by the challenge. Source: Wikipedia

"In His Steps" is a classic of Christian literature whose premise centers on the idea of emulating Christ in one's everyday life. When faced with the challenges of everyday life the book suggests that one should ask oneself, "What would Jesus do?" This simple maxim creates a profound way of looking at life and both the common and morally challenging dilemmas that one might face in life. By asking how would Jesus respond in a particular situation an individual can hope to gain a greater insight into living a more pious life. Christians will find "In His Steps" a compelling narrative illustrating this concept.

Howard Chase is a big man in a small town. When he takes up the pulpit at a church in Red Hill, Kansas, he’s ready to work hard for Christ and for his congregation. But Howard soon discovers the favorite pastime of the people of Red Hill is gossiping, and the most slanderous stories making the rounds are about him! Now Howard must make a choice: Leave Red Hill and the pulpit he was so certain was chosen for him by God, or stay and double his efforts to change the hearts of the narrow-minded citizens of Red Hill. This edition of the classic Christian novel, first published in 1917, includes a biography of the author.

Newly ordained minister Malcom Kirk is ready to do the Lord’s work in the place he’s most needed. Though he could have had the pulpit in any number of wealthy East coast churches, he chooses instead to minister in a lawless little western town that’s badly in need of a shepherd. The only question is, will Malcom make the journey west alone? Or will the woman he loves agree to marry him and take her place by his side? This classic Christian novel by the author of In His Steps was first published in 1898 and includes a biography of the author.

One of the bestselling books of all time, Sheldon’s 1897 classic was the first book to coin and popularize the famous question, “What would Jesus do?” The novel tells the story of a small town whose residents are compelled by the local pastor to ask this question before their every action. The challenge ultimately transforms the lives of these residents as they discover the unexpected consequences of aspiring to live like Christ and do well unto others.

In His Steps is a classic of religious fiction about preacher Henry Maxwell, who asks his congregation to consider "What would Jesus do?" before taking any action for a year. This simple request produces marked results in the small mid-western town. Formerly silent and passive members of the congregation become emboldened to enthusiastically speak truth and become frank about various situations they face, while confronting what they view as inadequate or wrong in the locality. Owing to his experience living in and observing individuals throughout late 19th century America, Charles Sheldon created a reasonably accurate vignette of the USA and its people. The setting and characterization helped readers relate easily to the tale and the wrongs which - through conversion - are confronted by various characters. The novel duly became a famous bestseller. Today, In His Steps is credited for introducing the phrase 'What would Jesus do?' to a much wider audience. Although variations of the rhetorical question had appeared in English and other languages for centuries, it was the colossal popularity of this book that embedded it as a household saying.

It was Friday morning and the Rev. Henry Maxwell was trying to finish his Sunday morning sermon. He had been interrupted several times and was growing nervous as the morning wore away, and the sermon grew very slowly toward a satisfactory finish. (...) The minister went up into his study and shut the door. In a few minutes he heard his wife go out, and then everything was quiet. He settled himself at his desk with a sigh of relief and began to write. His text was from 1 Peter 2:21: "For hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that ye should follow his steps." He had emphasized in the first part of the sermon the Atonement as a personal sacrifice, calling attention to the fact of Jesus' suffering in various ways, in His life as well as in His death. He had then gone on to emphasize the Atonement from the side of example, giving illustrations from the life and teachings of Jesus to show how faith in the Christ helped to save men because of the pattern or character He displayed for their imitation. He was now on the third and last point, the necessity of following Jesus in His sacrifice and example.- Taken from "In His Steps" written by Charles M. Sheldon