Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-03-02
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
fopie For the Week Beginning Feb. 20.
Comment by Rev. S. III. Doyle.

fople For the Week Beginning Feb. 20.
Comment by Rev. S. HI. Doyle.
Understanding portions to others. What
lave we sentf Neh. viii, 10; Acts iii, SO.
In the eighth chapter of Nehemiah we
awe the record of the first observance of
The feast of tabernacles after the re-
urn of the Israelites from captivity.
On the first day Ezra, the scribe, assem-
Bles the people into the street and reads
md explains the law to them. The peo-
lie are much affected and expressed
heir feelings in tears and sorrow. But
he leaders Of Israel said unto them:
lThis day is holy unto the Lord your
Hod. Mourn not nor weep, for all the
PEOPLE wept when they heard the words
bf the law. Then he said unto them,
Ho your way. Eat the fat, drink the
lweet and send portions unto them for
whom nothing has been prepared" This
Is the keynote of our topic. In Acts i'll,
30, we see Peter and John, in the name
Of Christ, bestowing the blessing OF
strength upon the lame man.
/. Temporal portions (Neh. viii, 100.
Man has a twofold nature-physical and
spiritual. He has both body and
soul. Each has its needs The body has
It's needs. God has recognized theseneeds.
In all parts of the world he has placed
In natures realm that which is able to
satisfy the temporal wants of man. He
bids us all to pray for temporal bless
Ings. God has provided sufficient food
md raiment to supply all his creatures,
and yet in all ages of the world the same
condition is found as was seen in Jeru-
salem on the first feast day. Some had
prepared much. Others had nothing.
So Nehemiah instructs those who have
plenty to send portions to those who had
nothing. This should be an example to
us. If we have been blessed with tenn
poral blessings, we should share them so
far as possible with our less fortunate
brothers. This is pleasing to God, brings
n blessing to the needy and to those who
relieve their want.
2. Spiritual portions (Acts iii, go.
A lame beggar asks aims of Peter and
John. They have no gold and silver, but
they make him richer gift. They cure
his lameness and thereby lead him to
God through Christ. This incident may
well represent the bestowing of spiritual
portions. The soul also has its needs as
well as the body God has made pro-
vision for our spiritual wants But, as
Is the case with the body, while some
have many spiritual blessings Others
have none. Tomany the plan of salvation,
the story of Jesus love, is a many times
told tale. Others have never heard Of |
either. The very name of Jesus is I'M
known to them. What need, then, for |
hose who have these spiritual portions
n abundance to send them to those who
nave them not God commands us to
10 so. He blesses us if we do. Chris
ian Endeavorers, have we sent these
portions to others in the past? If not,
ct us not fail to do so in the future.
Bible References-Gen. Xviii, 81, %;
)eut. XIV, Z, s; Neh. viii, 10; Est. tx,
seq; Ps. lxxxii, 8, 4; Prov. xxx, Z; lisa.
!, s; vi, 8, 0; Math. tx, 81, 80; Luke iii,
0, IL; vi, a. 80; Rom. xii. 1913; II
Jor. i, II; Gal. ii. 8, 10; Col. iii, II;
Tim. V, 1913; Heb. xiii, l6; l John
ii, II.