In His Steps
by Charles M. Sheldon
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In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon is a moral and social novel that centers on a simple yet challenging question: “What would Jesus do?” Set in the fictional town of Raymond, the story follows a diverse group of individuals—a minister, journalists, business owners, politicians, and working people—who pledge to model every major decision in their lives after Christ’s example. Their commitment quickly tests personal comfort, professional ambition, and social norms.
As characters attempt to live out this principle, they confront poverty, corruption, inequality, and ethical compromise. A newspaper editor risks circulation to report truthfully, a singer abandons fame for service, and a wealthy heiress redirects her fortune toward social reform. Sheldon presents faith not as abstract belief but as active responsibility, insisting that Christianity must shape everyday conduct and public life.
Written in a clear, accessible style, In His Steps blends fiction with social critique, addressing issues such as labor exploitation, temperance, and economic injustice prevalent in late nineteenth-century America. The novel’s enduring influence lies in its call for personal accountability and compassionate action, urging readers to consider how moral choices—both small and large—can transform individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
Quote from the book—
“He had made money his god. As soon as that god was gone out of his little world there was nothing more to worship; and when a man's object of worship is gone he has no more to live for.”
― Charles M. Sheldon, In His Steps
Also available in Paperback.
Charles M. Sheldon (1857–1946) was an American Congregational minister, writer, and social reformer best known for his influential novel In His Steps. Born in Wellsville, New York, Sheldon became deeply concerned with the social problems of industrial America, including poverty, labor injustice, and moral responsibility. He believed Christianity should be actively practiced in everyday life, not merely preached. In His Steps, published in 1896, popularized the question “What would Jesus do?” and became one of the best-selling religious novels of all time. Sheldon later served as a church leader, lecturer, and advocate for social Christianity.
