Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-03-08
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVoR.


Topic T'or tlrc yS--eIl Uez r. 'r-rcll
12-Commcs,g by EcS. =. IL. Doyle.
ToPTr.- '.e7-L.p in Christian ssret-.--
Neh. r., g. l-.
The rebuilding ef the wall Of .Jsr1sa-
lem may be- t4Een as an Illustration If
the life IF the church in this " Grid We
may see illustrated in it many Of the
essential clements # successful church
work. not laas; Ct which Is the necessity
Of fellowship in service, cooperation
in work DIV sion Of labcr. How splen-
didly tle necessity and efficiency of
hearty cooperation in Christian work
is here illustrated. Every class had
work to do, and every one did it in har-
mony with every other enc, and the re-
suit was that the wall, joined together,
completed in every part, rose before
them in spite Of the immeuseness Of the
task and the enemies without, who coa-
stantly threatened them. Some were
builders, some were burden bearers,
some We're guards, and the princes
stood behind aad directed the work.
Every man had his place. and every man
stood il il aA performed his duty, and
success was tho result. Suea q splendid
result could aa.y have tean achieved y
the heart Il corporation ana fellow
ship W aav be taught here some les
sons il Christian fellowship.
!. El-l w-aiq in Christian service Is
ScriFtazaI. This j. ore ser taraIiiius-
traitor, and many others could be cited.
Christ seut HIS apostles and Disciples
cut ''tw1 - two upon their preaching
tours, thus giving His sanction and APP
proTal Of fellowship in Christian work.
After GaIi.t had assembled the apostles
usually followed the same pan. Chris
tianity tesch5s fellowship in prayer.
fellowship il burden bearing as well
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 oyercame almost insurmouutable
obstacles. They accomplished wonders.
and all because unitedly they did the
work. Two are stronger than cue, When
the heart Of one fails, word or act Of
encouracs cement from the other strength
ems it, and thus from fellowship comes
increased strength 10th against enemies
without and discouragements within.
8. Fellowship in Christian service is
efficient. It Is 30 especially because it
gives an opportunity fer al 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
direct, some could guard, and when all
these qualities were combined success
full worE was accomplished. 1t is the
same teday. Some are strong, others
weak; come can sing, others can pray:
some can teach, others can carry bur-
dens; separated, all would he weak and
ineffective, tut united in harmony and
in Christian fellowship and wisely di
rected, all become a 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 Re successfully done
Bible Readings. -Eccl. iv, 9-12; Luke
], /, 2; Acts Ii, 42-4I; xi, 30, 80; II
Cor. viii, 10; Gal. ii, 8, 10; Vi, Ito;
Phil. j, Sc; ", 3; II Tim. !, 1G-I8; l
Thess. iii, ITO; John j, 81.