SUMMARY OF IN HIS STEPS

FOREWORD
Charles Sheldon chose 1890s for his story IN HIS STEPS. He launched the first and second part of
his story in towns called Raymond and Chicago after the real ones even though there was no
similarity between the two. Most of the details that created the unemployment and poverty that he
used to exercise his them which take place in the country and Chicago was not named.
CHALSE MONROE SHELDON (1857-1946)
Charles Sheldon was the author of IN HIS STEPS who was born in New York and was a regimental
follower of his dads footsteps. His interest in social reform led him to thorough research in
problems of the underprivileged which produce a famous book that became most populous of all
his writings inspite that the copyright was declared invalid, he was contented that the book
became an eye opener of his readers to take closer look at Jesus lifestyle and do their best to walk
in his steps.
1. THE STRANGER
The stranger opened Raymond Christians inner eyes to the true picture of what following Jesus
actually meant.
2. THE FIRST CHURCH OF RAYMOND
Sequel to Incidence of the stranger, a new chapter was opened in the lives of Henry Maxwell and
the church which led to changing their churchs motto to what would Jesus do that is to act just as
Jesus would if he were in their shoes regardless of immediate results.
3. RAYMOND DAILY NEWS
Edward Norman prayed for Holy Spirit assistance in carrying out his pledge of what would Jesus do
practically and he indeed got the divine support from the Holy Spirit.
4. BACKLASH STRIKES DAILY NEWS
Edward Norman an editor and sole owner of Raymond daily news called his newspaper staff to
state his motive and purpose clearly that he would not want to have tobacco and alcohol
announced in his papers anymore as long as Jesus would not do so if the daily news was his.
5. THE RAILROAD SHOPS
The tremendous change in Pastor Maxwells sermon which now focused on rebuke of sin unlike
before brought a great transformation into many lives in the church than previous Sunday service.
6. THE CONFRONTATION WITH MADAM PAGE
Rachel turned down Rollins marriage proposal without any apology and she also stated reasons for
not accepting the concert companys offer to her mother seeing it as it would not allow her fulfil
her pledge for Jesus.
7. PREACHING IN THE RECTANGLE
Brother Maxwell asked Holy Spirit to help him preach the heart of God to people in the rectangle
and God did exactly that.
8. The HOLYSPIRIT COMES TO THE RECTANGLE
Pastor Maxwells visit to Alexander Powers having heard about his resignation as the
superintendent of the city shops, his efforts to help Fred get new job at the news company after
Freds sudden dismissal from work and how Jesus changed Milta wright via what would Jesus do
idea.
9. NO GREATER LOVE THAN THIS

People with the experience of their new lives waited for a long time to share it with Rev
Gray.Rachels experience of being wooed by Jasper.
10. THE POLITICAL BATTLE
The president of Lincoln college Mr Mash Donald vowed not to procrastinate in giving honest
answers to his pledge of what would Jesus do and not otherwise anymore. The campaign for true
political transformation in Raymond became a success story.
11. The GOOD SAMARITRAN
Virginia s divine encounter with the wayward lady called Lorean and her determination to help
helpless Lorean as Jesus would do but the idea was rejected out rightly by her grandmother.
12. A STEWARD OF GODS MONEY
Rollin and Virginia examined themselves during a discussion between them whether they are truly
following their pledge of what would Jesus do.
Virginia declared her money Jesus and proofed that when she cheerfully came out and supported
Normans newspaper company financially as long as it will keep the promise of what would Jesus
do policy.
13. ELECTION DAYS FATALITY
Pastor Maxwell and Rev Gray realised that as spiritual matters in Raymond are improving so also
drunkenness and vileness were on the increase and they sensed some unseen forces were behind
that. The election in Raymond brought about chaos which resulted in crisis that claimed Loreans
life.
14. THE FUNERAL IN RECTANGLE
Shortly after Loreans burial rites was the announcement of the election results which affected
pastor Maxwells countenance as his campaign against licensing public establishment in selling
liquor hit the rock. The numbers of volunteer pledging to do as Jesus would increase in the first
church being the first of its kind as they were being convicted and convinced of what true
discipleship meant.
15. HELP FOR THE RECTANGLE WOMEN
Virginia planned to better womens lives, woman like Lorean with her money and she took several
painstaking and realistic steps to fulfil the pledge.
16. FULLNESS OF JOY AND THE EMPTINESS OF NOTHING
Virginia met with Norman to present her quota as pledged in establishing a Christian daily
newspaper. This idea supported by Norman with a proof of putting it in a concrete forms what he
thinks Jesus would do.
17. LOVE BEGINS AND THE WORK GOES.
Rollin and Rachel accidentally met down the street; they discussed Virginias arrangement to
complete Rectangle property and many other things including their lives in Christ and soul winning
assignment they got for Jesus.
18. A LETTER FROM RAYMOND
Reverend Calvins letter to rev Philip A on Henrys ministerial leadership style in Raymond, its
effects on the church, the progress made so far and his proposal.
19. THE STERLING FAMILY
Both Felicia and Rose were the only two daughters of rich parents called Mr and Mrs Sterling .Mr
Charles Sterling and Alice Sterling were their father and mother respectively. Rose was the elder
sister of Felicia and both were only children of a rich man mentioned above. Rose was cynical and
indifferent to the society while Felicia was helpful, considerate and pathetic to the situation of the

less privilege of the society by her warm generous impulses which were beginning to mould her
Christian character.
20. THE STAGE OF LIFE
A play that encapsulate almost all the spheres of life was shown in melodrama just as these
changes occurred in Mrs Sterlings life when she agreed with Felicia for the first time in prayer as
well as some change came upon the Nazareth Avenue church through the sermon of Rev Calvin
Bruce resulting in their understanding of the new way of being good disciples of Jesus.
21. THE NAZARETH AVENUE AND DEATH
Pastor Bruce introduced what would Jesus do method into their church doctrine believing that it
will help his congregation to come out of shallowness in their Christian journey as done by first
church in Raymond and it indeed worked out.
22. LIFE OUT OF DEATH
Mr Sterling considered death as the only option having known his financial life was in a mess and
bankrupt. He made money his God having considered nothing more to worship or lived for and as
such shot himself and committed a suicide. The grief of this suicide committed by Mr Sterling killed
her wife Mrs Alice sterling which changed the course of Rose and Felicias lives as they become
Orphan suddenly and have to live in Winslows house in Raymond.
23. THE SETTLEMENT HOUSE
Pastor and bishop of the Nazareth Avenue Church resigned their positions as pastor and bishop
respectively seeing it as the only way they could be more loyal and dedicated to their pledge to do
as Jesus would do.
24. THE JESUS HOUSE
The Jesus House was constructed as planned by both men of God called John and Calvin who
resigned their appointment to follow Jesus steps regimentally. The house was to accommodate and
render services just as Jesus did to humanity during His earthly ministries.
25. THE HOLDUP MEN
The two robbers who targeted to rob the ex-bishop suddenly repented and returned all forcefully
collected from him when one of the robbers realised the bishop had helped him somewhere
sometime before and God used this to catch the souls of these two robbers to Himself.
26. BEER AND LIQUOR
Rogers Burns saved by Jesus via bishop almost returned to his vomit when tempted by the strong
smell of beer and liquor which he was formerly addicted to before he was saved but was delivered
through the timely intervention of Jesus when He used bishop again for him
27. OUT OF THE MUD GROWS THE LOTUS
Clearance Penrose witnessed a great change in his life shortly after Jesus visited him in the dream
coupled with the incidence of one of his tenant shot dead while trying to steal coal to protect his
freezing family alongside the advice and admonition of his little child who is also follower of what
would Jesus do pledge.
28. WHERE YOU LEAD I WILL FOLLOW
With all the complaint of people in Raymond, the unmistakable presence of the Holy Spirit became
answers to all the mountain of problems people brought to the meeting held by Henry that day and
were all convinced by Rachels song ministration and they pledged convincingly to follow the steps
of Jesus wherever they go except the atheist Leon Czolgesz who left unchanged angrily.
29. THE ANSWER
The overwhelming rate at which people responded to the call of doing as Jesus would answered
Henrys question on whether the survival of the pledge move would continue to spread or not.