Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-02-09
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Ierlc for the Week beginning Jan. 20
Comment by Rev. 5. II. Doyle.

1crtc for the Week beginning Jan. 49,
Comment by Rev. 5. ii. Doyle.
ToPfc.-The day OF small things. Gods bless
ing upon it. Christian Endeayor Day. Zech.
~, 10. Job viii, 81.
No movement in modern times in
church lines has so wonderfully illus
trated that under Gods blessing small
things may become great as the Chris
tian Endeavor movement Organized
IN the winter of 1901 10 meet the needs
of an individual church, today it has
spread itself all over the Christian world.
In 1881 there were but two societies and
membership of sixty-eight. To-day
there are in Christendom over 81, 900 So
cieties, with membership not less thar
/ 100000. In the rebuilding of the tenn
Pile by Zerubbabel we have another illus
tration of the same character Czech. ",
1O), and in Job viii, 81, Bildad makes the
statement that under Gods blessing,
Though thy beginning was small, yet
thy latter end should greatly increase"
Note.
/. Mans attitude toward the day of
small things (Zech. iv, 10). Zerubbabel
was rebuilding the temple at Jerusalem.
The beginning was very small in compar
ison to the great work that must be done
1t was so small that the workers were dis
couraged. 1t was so small that both friend
and enemy despised it as a day of small
things. This is an illustration of man
usual attitude toward the day of small
things. One usual tendency is to de-
spise and to look upon with contempt
and disgust whatever has a small and
Insignificant beginning. It is not until
it has reached reached gigantic proper
tons and wields untold influence that a
new movement gains our admiration and
unqualified applause. Lot thought Zoar
of no consequences, because 1t was a little
city. Elijah thought Gods cause was Of
no influence in the reign Of Jezebel. be-
cause it was not supported by large
numbers Of open advocates. The people
despised the temple because the begin
ming was so unpretentious. Christ's
kingdom was doubtless ridiculed in its
early history because it was the day of
small things with it. Such is mans at
titude toward trihes; but it is a false
one, for, as Michael Angelo. the sculptor,
says, 'Trifes make perfection, and per-
lection is no trihe." Everything must
have beginning, and, no matter how in
significant that beginning, under Gods
blessing the end may be great.
2. Gods attitude toward the day of
small things" (Zech. iv, 10l God never
despises small beginnings. He blesses
them. and they become great. The tenn
pie was completed because he was in the
work and it was his work. In Gods |
work the day of small things is not TO be !
despised. He is all powerful, and what |
may seem impossible to man is possible |
to God. Though the instruments may |
be weak and Insignificant. yet under |
Gods blessing great results may be
achieved The mountain of difficulty |
becomes as a level plain. The small |
stone cut out of the mountain without !
hands increases until it fills the whole |
earth. The grain of mustard used be-
comes great tree. The loaves and fishes |
multiply until thousands are fed. De |
spise not the day of small things. Per-
form earnestly and faithfully all duties,
small and great, and leave results with
God.
Bible References-Ps. xxxvii, 10; Prov.
XIV, 10; lisa. xi, 1-6; Mic V, .; Math. |
ii. 6; V, 10; X, 39-i2; Mark iy. 3O-32; xii,
4l-l4; Luke xii, 30; xiii, IS, 10; xvi, 10;
/ Cor. V, 6; Tim vi, 6-S.