Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-02-07
CHRISTIAN ENDEANOR.
Topic for the Week Beginning Feb
Comment by Rev. :. IL. Doyle.

10-Commeni by Kew. =. H. BoSie.
ToPlr.-E.y,.,.uius d. little clildre u.-Lul1e
xviii iii J. t5r- ~, -, p ttHlon meeting
with the ,Tru5u.-, s,lsg, -t,d. leo by Junior su-
perintCndentl
In each Of tine topical rofpr-nces there
is dltIeryAt sense i'll which We are to
become as little children and each for
different purpose. II Luke it is assert
ed that we are 10 become as little chill.
dren that we may enter the kingdom OF
heaven. while in the reference III Mat
thew in a different sense we are to be
come as children that we may under
stand the mysteries of God plan OF re
demption.
1. Becoming as little children that
we nav enter the kingdom of heaven
duke xviii, 1918. sW hosoever shall
not receive the kingdom of God as lit
tie child shall i'll nowise enter therein,
These are the words of Christ to the dis
ciples when they rebuked the people Tor
bringing their infants to Him that He
might bless them The meaning is that
to enter the kingdom of heaven one must
become possessed of such disposition
rs child possesses There are many
characteristics of the natural child life
disposition that could with profit be pos
sessed by the Christian, but only the
two most prominent need be referred to
one positive, the other negatlve-hu-
mility and confidence To enter the
kingdom of heaven we are to return to
these natural dispositions of child life,
Humbleness is a characteristic OF chill
dren. ana Is also one of the necessary
requirements to admission to Gods
kingdom. God hates pride and arrogan-
cy and turns from them, but He Is ever
ready to receive the contrite and humble
spirit. Confidence is another element OF
child life and Of the true child of God.
The child trusts his parents implicitly
and with the heart, simply because they
are his parents, So we are to trust God
absolutely because he is God
2. Becoming as little children that
we may understand the great truths Of
the gospel (Math. xi, 25, 26). Il thank
Thee, O Father. Lord of heaven and
earth, because Thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast re.
vealed them unto babes (Math. xi, 25l.
These are words taken from a prayer OF
Christ probably offered to God after the
return of the q from missionary tour
with cheering reports. 1t alludes TO the
fact that God had revealed the things OF
Christ's kingdom to unlearned and un
cultured men, such as the Gallean fish
erman rather than to the wise and in
telligent, such as the scribes and Phari
sees This fact is still prominent today.
The world by human wisdom knows not
God The greatest scholars, the greatest
statesmen, have often been the greatest
strangers to the gospel mysteries. We
often wonder why it is so. 1t was Gods
will. Even so, Father for so it seemed
good in Thy sight This fact teaches
us that, whether ignorant or learned, to
understand Gods secrets we must come
rs children, as if we had no earthly
wisdom and learning, and believe i'll
God not because of our education or
wisdom, but with the same confidence
and childlike trust as if we had none OF
these things.
Bible Readings. -Ps. cxlvlii. -, -;
Prov XIV. 33; lsa. xi, l6; Eccl. xii, |;
Math xviii, IA; xxi. Is, l6; Mark K
1915; Luke tx, 464S; John iii, Is;
Cor xiv, 90; Eph. iv. /, 2.