Middletown transcript., 1899-03-11
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Topic For tne Week Beginni-,g Marcel
10-rau,r,o..4 ~, -, G r. Do-1o

Topic For tne Week beginning March
12-Comment I,y Itey. s. L. Doyle.
Toprc.-Fellowship in Christian SERVICE
Neh. iv, 8, 1928.
The rebuilding Of tho wall of Jerusa-
lem may be taken as an illustration Of
the life of the church in this world. We
may see illustrated in it many of the
essential elements of successful church
work, not least Of which is the necessity
of fellowship in service, cooperation
in work, division of labor. How splen-
didly the necessity and efficiency of
hearty cooperation in Christian work
is here illustrated. Every class had a
work to do, and every one did it in har-
mony with every other one, and the re-
suit was that the wall, joined together,
completed in every part, rose before
them in spite Of the immenseness Of the
task and the enemies without, who con-
stantly Threatened them. Some were
builders, some were burden bearers,
some were guards, and the princes
stood behind and directed the work.
Every man had his place, and every man
stood in it and performed his duty, and
success was the result. Such a splendid
result could only have been achieved by
the heartiest cooperation and fellow
ship. We may be taught here some les
SONS in Christian fellowship.
/. Fellowship in Christian service is
Soriptural. This is one Scriptural illus
tration, and many others could be cited.
Christ sent His apostles and disciples
out "two by two" upon their preaching
tours, thus giving His sanction and ap-
proyal of fellowship in Christian work.
After Christ had assembled the apostles
usually followed the same plan. Chris
tianity teaches fellowship in prayer,
fellowship in burden bearing as we'll
as fellowship in service.
2. Fellowship in Christian service
gives strength and encouragement. The
Jews were strong because they were
united. They held their enemies at bay.
They overoame almost insurmountable
obstacles. They accomplished wonders,
and all because unitedly they did the
work. Two are stronger than one. When
the heart of one fails, word or act Of
encouragement from the other strength
ems it, and thus from fellowship comes
increased strength both against enemies
without and discouragements within.
8. Fellowship in Christian service is
efficient. 1t is SO especially because it
gives an opportunity for all to do that
which they are best able to do. All
have not been given the same gifts.
Some in Nehemiah's time could build,
some could carry burdens, some could
dirant. soma nnnld gnard, and when all
these qualities were combined success
full work was accomplished. It is the
same today. Some are strong, others
weak; some can sing, others can pray;
some can teach, others can carry bur-
dens; separated, all would be weak and
Ineffective, but united in harmony and
in Christian fellowship and wisely di-
rected, all become mighty power for |
good.
Let us see the wisdom and power of |
fellowship in service. The church is the
body of Christ. The members are the
organs of the body, the church. Each
organ has distinctive work to do, but
each must work in union and in har-
mony with the others, if the work of |
the body is to be successfully done.
Bible Readings. -Eocl. iv, 9-12; Luke |
Z, l, Q; Acts ii, 42-47; xi, 80, 80; II |
Cor. viii. 1-5; Gal. ii, 9, 10; vi, Ito;
Phil. j, SO; iv, 8; II Tim. i, 1851
rhess. iii, 1-10; I John j, 81.