Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-07-17
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
eopfc For the Week Beginning July
21-Commeut by Rev. $. ii. Doyle.

WOpfc For the Week Beginning July
21-Comment by Rev. $. II. Doyle.
Torc.-A strong weak man--Jud. xvi, 1890.
Samson Is the most sensational char
acter IN the word of God. Suddenly
and Unexpectedly he performed the
most startling deeds of valor. He slew
D Hon. the King of beasts. He paid
wedding prize with the garments Of
30 slain PNlistines- Single handed he
killed thousand Philistines. and when
surrounded in Casa he carried away
ats immense gates and escaped. But
the strong man became weak. He was
captured by his enemies, his eyes were
put out. and he was compelled to grind
the gra IN of his foes, like beast of the
neld. What picture of a strong weak
man-strong to the point Of the mirac-
ulous in one moment, weak to the point
of helplessness in the next! Thus it is
often with us in our spiritual lives. At
one time we are strong in the line of
duty-strong against temptation, strong
In the face of obstacles; at another we
We are overcome, we are disgraced,
we are Inundated.
The explanation of this apparent par
Rdox is evident in the case of Samson.
Samson was strong when he was filed
with the Spirit of the Lord, but weak
when he trusted In himself. Up to a
certain point in his career the sacred
historian prefaces every great deed of
Samson with the words, 1.-THE Spirit of
the Lord came upon him." Then this
preface is discontinued. Samson seems
to act in his own strength, and it is not
long until his weakness and downfall
follow. When he was weak, he was
strong. When realizing his own weak
ness, he put his strength in the Lord,
and he was strong, invincible. But
when he ceased to recognize his need
of divine strength and trusted in him.
self he was weak and was easily over
come. This is a type of our spiritual
history. We are strong when we trust
in God and weak when we trust in our
selves.
Another element that contributed to
lSamson's weakness was evil associa-
Ition. He married among the Philis-
lNlaCS, SAOpoih- ASt4AAaAt q hl'AStAhS
woman, as his wife. 1t was through
her at last that he was tempted and
led to ruin. Evil associates have weak
Sened many strong man. They have
been able to stand against themselves.
but not to withstand the evil influences
of their associates. Too much care
cannot be exercised in choosing inti-
10 fria ssJy-iI loot inn q
corrupt good manners" and also good
men, and If we would not be corrupted
we must avoid the evil associations.
Broken vows also contributed to Sam
sons downfall. The man who was
strong while he kept his religious vows
became weak when he broke them.
His strength departed with the break
ing of his Nazarite VOW. This should
be a warning to Christian Endeavor-
ers. We have taken the pledge. We
have vowed a vow. The keeping of it
will strengthen US in all the phases
of our religious lives. Failure to keep
1T will weaken us. Broken vows mean
the loss of spiritual power. We may
he unconscious of the spirits depar-
ture, but when temptation comes we
will fall.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Let the leader open the topic, the
members following in voluntary par
ticipation.
BIBLE HEADINGS.
Joshua /, II; Feel tx, IL; Ps. xvii,
is, II; lisa. Il, 81; Joel iii, 10; Zech. iv.
g; Acts xvi, %, &c; ii Cor. xii, 7-10;
xiii, 4; Phil iv, IS.