Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-08
CHRISTIAN ENDEANOR.
Topic For the Week Beginning June IL.
Comment by Rev. :. ii. Doyle.


Comment by Rev. 5. ii. Doyle.
ToPIc.-Christian courage; examples from
books or life.-Mark X, 1894; Acts xxi, lola
Christian history is replete with il
Illustrations of courage of the highest
character. There have been times in the
history of the world when it required
the greatest physical and moral courage
to confess Christ and to stand firmly by
Christian faith and duty. In many
places in the world today similar cour-
age is demanded. These demands for
Christian courage have been faithfully
met, both in the past and in the pres
ent. For their faith in Christ men have
been willing to hazard their lives and
not few have willingly stood the su
preme test itself and have sacrificed
their lives for the sake of their religious
convictions, If we were to call the roll
of earth's honored dead, we would find
upon it the names of an innumerahle
multitude, who died as martyrs TO their
Christian faith. and of countless host
of others who, although not calles upon
to suffer martyrdom, vet displayed
matchless courage and heroiSm in the
defense of their faith. All honor to
Christianity courageous dead and may
their spirit fall upon the disciples of
Christ today and their example inspire
us to noble, heroic and self sacrificing
deeds for Christ and humanity!
Christ Himself heads the long list OF
courageous Christians, if we may SO
speak of Him. He Himself has left US
matches example of the courage that
should possess all Christians in battling
against wrong and injustice and in per
forming the duties of life. Long before
His death He knew that He must die as
martyr, and yet undinchingly and
steadfastly He turned His face toward
Jerusalem to meet the crisis Of His life,
and when it came with a calm courage
and fortftude that impressed itself upon
all who saw Him die, He gave His life
for the world. 1t has been we'll said,
Socrates died like philosopher, hut
Christ like god" Only divinity itself
could explain His calm courage, His
sublime trust in God, Himself and the
issues of His life and death.
Paul the apostle certainly ranks next
to Christ in the category Of brave and
heroic Christians. Luke gives US in the
topical reference an illustration of
Paul's courage. Paul is at C8sarea on
his way to Jerusalem after his last
great missionary journey. A certain
prophet named Agabus came down from
Jerusalem, took Pauls girdle and
bound his own hands and feet and said,
"Thus sayeth the Holy Ghost, SO shall
the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man
who owneth this girdle and shall deliver
him into the hands of the gentiles. -
Then all tried to persuade Paul not to
go to Jerusalem, but he bravely replied,
"What mean We to weep and TO break
my heart for l am ready not to be
bound only, but to die at Jerusalem for
the name of the Lord Jesus" Nor was
this magnificent language a mere idle
boast. Paul meant it. and he proved it
by his subsequent history. Let Us re-
ceive an inspiration from the examples Of
Christ, Paul and all heroic Christians.
Bible Readings. Mum. xiii, 20; Deut
XXI, 6; Joshua i, 6, :; Judg. ", 14-1G;
vii, 1523; II Sam. Y, 9-l3; II Chron.
xix, Sill; Ez. Y, IA Ps. xvii, IA;
XXI, "a; lisa. xii, 6, I; Dan. vi, 1923;
Cor. XVI, 13; Eph. Vi, l0-lo.