Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-01-30
cm4I rlAN KNpEAvoR.
Kopic Fer the Week BEGINNING Feb.
3-Comme MT by Rev. s. ii. Doyle.

3-Comment by Rev. $. II. Doyle.
characterization Endesvor day.--Josh. l, LII.
THE PAST
The twentieth anniversary of Chris
tian Endeavor has come. The move
ment has successfully passed its child
hood and youth and stands today. at
the beginning of the twentieth century,
upon the threshold Of vigorous and
long lived manhood. The predictions
of the past have failed In fulflllment
Christian Endeavor has not been a
movement of day. 1t has not been
q bubble of enthusiasm, soon to be
pricked and to subside. 1t has become
in 20 years stable and permanent
part OF our church life and work. 1t
stands today in multitude like the
sands of the sea and the stars OF the
heavens, in strength a mighty power
of God for efficiency in church work
and for the moral improvement and ell
ovation of mankind.
THE FUTURE
cut what of the future? The past Is
sealed; the present is assured-what Of
the future? We cannot but feel that
to recognize the hand of God In the
movement and still observe to do
that which is well pleasing in the sight
Of God.
GOD IN CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
To Joshua, as he was about to begin
the conquest of the land of Canaan, the
Lord said Il will be with thee. l will
not fail thee or forsake thee" God
had been with Moses In the past. He
now promises to be with Joshua, as he
had been with Moses. God has been
with and in the Christian Endeavor
movement. Its entire history proves
that the hand of God has been In it.
AS He has been In it in the past. so He
will he In the future, and on this ami
versary day we hear Him say TO us:
las 1 have been with you in the past,
so / will be- with thee. l will not fail
thee nor forsake thee"
STRENGTH
Gods presence in the future as
well as in the past should inspire
strength. BE strong" God is with
us. Therefore we should be strong
not In our own strength, but in Gods
strength, strong as Paul was strong
when he said, Il can do all things
through Christ, who strengthened me-"
COURAGE
'fBe of good courage" God is with
us. Therefore we should be eoura-
geous. Courage is necessary to success
in moral and spiritual warfare, We
fight against no mean adversaries. but
against principalities and powers and
wickedness in both high and low
places We stand often upon the firing
line, and this is 10 place for the
weakling. But, God being with us,
we need not be weak. "our weakness
Is perfected in His strength"
ASSURANCE
'1There shall not any man be able to
stand before thee" sUnto this people
shalt thou divide for an inheritance
the land" The presence and power
OF God with Joshua made SUCCESS as
sured. 1t assures Us also or victory
and success. He who fights on the
side of the Lord need have no doubts
as to the results. Whatsoever Is
born of God overcometh the world"
"Observe to do according to all the
law, which Moses, my servant, COM
manded thee; turn not from it to the
right hand or to the left, that thou may
est prosper whithersoever thou goest."
Gods presence should inspire ODE
dience. for upon obedience depend
stability and success. God leaves the
disobedient and casts them aside
He honors and helps those who obey.
obedience Is better than sacrifice"
Thankful for the success of the past,
let us go forward with strength,
courage, assurance and obedience in
the future. firmly believing that as
God has been with US so he win
not fail nor forsake us.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Use the United Society's special
Christian Endeavor day programme
or have an address upon the twentieth
anniversary of Christian Endeavor.
BIBLE READINGS.
Deut. XXI. Is; Judg. vii, 15-25; Neh.
iv, LA; Feel. tx. 10; Zech. iy. 6; Math.
xviii. 20; Cor. iii, 7-15; XIV, IS; Gal.
vi, 9; Rev. II, 10.