The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-02-24
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Topic For the Week beginning Feb. 10.
Comment by Rev, q IL poyin

Topio For the Week beginning Feb. 10.
Comment by Rev. q. II. Doyle.
ToPIc.-liindranccs How TO meet them.
Neh. iv, .; Phil. iv. H.
In the fourth chapter Of Nehemiah we
have the opposition Of the heather na-
tives ~ the rebuilding of the walls of
Jerusalem, the way in which this oppo-
sition was met by tho jewish leaders and
the final result, in which Gods pcople
came of more than conguorers. illustrat-
ing that they could do all things through
Him that strengthened them phil. iy.
13). Thus BY exampl, We SEQ the char.
acter OF the hindrances Of life and how
they may be successfully mot. Notice:
|. The hindorcd. The hindored in the
illustration referred to were the children
of God who were attempting to rebuild
the walls Of tho city OF ther God. They
may represent tho hindered Of all time.
SO long as men travel tho downward
road purposoly or carelessly they do not
meet with much opposition. Thoy are
Hike the boat gliding down the stream.
But lot thom "about face" let them
head tho boat up the stream let them
turn their barks upon evil associates and
associations and face Godward and
heavenward; lot them deny allegiance to
satan and tho world and declare loyalty to
God and Christ, and soon they find them
selves hindered In more ways than one.
Tho hindered in particular are those who
are striving to serve Christ, to upbuild
His cause and kingdom within themselves
and In the world. In general they may
be classified as all who are striving to
forsake evil for good.
.. The hinderers In those who him
dered tho work at Jerusalem we see o
good illustration of those who oppose
good and good people at all times. Note
the characteristics Of the hinderers rs
here expressed. (a) They wore unani-
nous. They "conspired all Of them to-
gether." Though Of different interests,
yet they were one when 1t comes 10 op-
posing the work of Gods people. "Herod
and PLATE were that day made friends
together How necessary, therefore,
that Gods people should present solid
and united front. (b) They were crafty.
They laid plans and plots which were
not to be revealed to the Israelites. Evil
always opposes good stealthily. It strikes
its blows in the dark and from behind
therefore the great need Of dependence
Hpon God, who sees all things, constant
watchfulness. wisdom and shrewdness
in battling against wrong and evildoers.
(c) They were determined. They were
ready to take life. for they said. 1--WE
will come and slay them" Oppossrs Of
good stop at nothing. To them the ruin
Of character, Of honor. Of hopes, of life
itsclf. is as nothing, as thoy accomplish
their foul purposes.
3. The hindrances. The hindranccs to
Christian life or to even an honest moral
life are many and varied. They are
within us and without us. Thoy meet
us at every turn of lifo. They can only
be successfully met by prayorfulness and
watchfulness and in humble dependence
upon God and Christ to strengthen us.
Bible References-Gcn. Xxiy, Sc; Job.
xxi, 81; Ps. |, 10; xci, 10; Isa. xiv, 40;
Zech. xiii, s, 0; Math. XVI, 3.-41; MARI
xiii, 33-57; Luke iy. 1-l4; ;,i, 30; John
XIV, 8; Acts xii, Ill; Rom. y, SO; Gal.
v, Z; Pet. Iii, T.