Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-01-19
CHRISTIAN ENDEkNOR.
Topic For the Week beginning ian. 23.
Comment by Rev. =. IL. Doyle.


Comment by Rev. =. IL. Doyle.
TorIc.--Practical applications of The beati-
tudes --lain- V, LIZ.
The beatitules are found in tie open
ing lstrt of GhriSt's! ramon On the
mount. This was practically his address
at the inauguration of His kingdom i'll
the world In the first part of this adj
dress lie describes the characteristics of
the citizens of His kingdom. The JeVs
had Il false idea as to what was necessary
for admission into His kingdom, and
His first duty was to correct this mis-
take. He did this in the beatitudes.
Though the word blessed is used
nine times, there are only seven general
beatituaes, as verses 10 and l / may be
considered as supplementary. To apply
these sayings of Christ practically we
mist study for what they stand.
l. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This
beatitude stands for humility, the first
characteristic Of the citizen Of Christ $
kingdom. The humble, the poor in spir
it. in heart, not i'll mind or body. are
referred to. The Jews were proud and
naughty and needed to cultivate this
grace. So must all who would enter
Christ S kingdom. Pride will debar Us.
We must become as little children to
enter in
2. BLESSED are they that mourn, for
they shall be comforted." The mourn
ing ones" here referred to are the spirit
ually sorrowful, tl.ose who mourn be-
cause Of the presence and power of sin.
Sorrow for sin is meant, The character
istic expressed is contrition. God will
comfort all such by pardoning their sins
and giving them power over sin. No one
will ever enter Christ's kingdom who
has not mourned because Of sin.
g. Blessed are the meek, for they
shall inherit the earth, - or 1.-The land, :"
referring to Canaan, which stood as a
type OF all temporal and spiritual bless
ings Weakness is also characteristic
Of citizen of the kingdom of heaven
4 blessed are they that hunger and
thirst after Righteousness, for they shall
be filed. God s righteousness, not per-
sonal righteousness, is referred to. Ad-
mission to Christ's kingdom cannot be
&hAACu Wy uhIuS NO Sna w. OuA
righteousness must be the righteousness
Of God, declared to US for Christ's sake,
and His work.
5. blessed are the merciful, for
they shall obtain mercy " "Meekness is
. passive virtue; mercy, an active one. p"
The meek passlvely endure the injustice
and wrongs Of the world. but the merci-
full address themselves to the wants of
the world. God has been merciful to
them, and they are merclful to others.
6. blessed are the pure i'll heart, Tor
they shall see God. Inward purity
gives US even in this life vision of
God, but this shall be perfected when
we sh.ll see Him face to face.
:. Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the sons of God. -
Warriors are usually the great men in
the kingdoms Of the world, but in
Christ kingdom peacemakers shall be
God S sons, Gods great ones.
Bible Readings -Ps- i, /; xxxvii, II;
Ii, II; Prov. xvi, Is, 10; lisa. ", I6; lvii,
Is; Xxi, l-3; Math. vi, IA, 10; Mark
Ii, %. 26; Luke vi, 1928; John xvi,
20; II Cor i, IL; Ii Tim. ii, IL; Heb.
xii, IA; Rev. XXI. /; xii, II.