What circumstances allowed Pastor Maxwell to begin immediately with being known as a friend and a companion of the people in the Rectangle?

Maxwell had a humbleness about him that people were drawn to. People in the town were hurting and Maxwell's sense of sincerity and kindness was what they needed. Maxwell wanted nothing of money or riches: only to spread the word of God:

There was something almost pitiful in the way this man who had lived his ministerial life in such a narrow limit of exercise now begged for wisdom and strength to speak a message to the people in the Rectangle.

Gray rose and held out his hand.

"God bless you, Mr. Maxwell. I'm sure the Spirit will give you power to-night."