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.
