Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-11-28
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
8ODi0 For the Week Beginning Dec.
AC0mment by Rev. 8. H. Doyle.

ROpis For the week Beginning Dec.
z-Comment by Rev. 5. H. Doyle.
TorIc.-spending time and taking pains for
CArist's sake.-Math. XIV. l-l3.
THE PARABLE.
The topical reference Is the beauti-
full and pathetic parable of the ten
virgins. In the preceding chapter
Christ has been speaking of His sec
ond coming and the destruction of the
world. This parable teaches the I'M
portance of watching at all timI or
His coming and being prepared for it
at all times and illustrates the sad
consequences, If not watching and if
not being prepared, in the doom of the
five foolish virgins. In the parable
ten virgins go to meet the bridegroom,
custom in connection with oriental
marriages Five took oil for their
lamps and five did not and when the
bridegroom came the foolish virgins
were unable. because unprepared, to
go into the marriage feast. They had
neglected to prepare themselves with
OF. which they could have done They
tried to correct their neglect. but it
was too late. The door was shut, and
to their appeals the bridegroom said,
II never knew YOU
THE INTERPRETATION.
The bridegroom is the Lord Jesus
Christ. The coming of the bridegroom
symbolizes the second coming of
Christ. The wise virgins represent
those who are watching and waiting
in readiness for Christ at His second
coming The foolish virgins represent
those who have failed to keep them
selves in readiness for their lords
coming. The oil represents saving
faith in Christ and all its necessary ae-
compartments, which makes soul
prepared TO meet Christ at His COM
Ing whenever He may come. The
parable teaches one great lesson-the
necessity and Importance of being pre-
pared for Christ's coming at all times,
lest He may come unexpectedly and
find Us unplepared. 1t is absolutely
necessary to be prepared at all times
because we know neither the day nor
the hour when the Son of Man cometh.
Watch, therefore, for ye know neither
the day nor the hour wherein the Son
OF Man cometh.'
TIE APPLICATION.
This parable with pathetic force IL
Illustrates the Importance of spending
time and taking pains for Christ's
sake The wise virgins did this. They
spent their time and labor in preparing
for their lords coming, and when he
came they We're watching and ready
and went into the feast The foolish
virgins failed to properly use their
time and energies and opportunities
properly, and they We're excluded. In
this parable we have an encourage
ment and a warrington encoura ge-
ment to follow the example of the wise
virgins, warning against the exam
pie and fate of the foolish virgins
How are we spending our time-for
self, for the world or for Jesus only :?
Let us spend all for Jesus, that when
He comes for lis, whether at morn or
at midnight we shall be ready and
shall enter into eternal joys with Him,
instead of having it said unto us, TOO
late. too late; We cannot enter now
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have the parable explained. and fol-
low this with a voluntary discussion
on the topic.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps. &c, -; Feel Iii. Is; viii, 6; tx,
10; Math. X, A.; XIV, 31-46; John tx, 4:
Acts XIV, 25, %; Eph. v, 1921; Col iv,
8,