Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-12-04
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Topic For the Week Beginning Dec.
R-Cnmmenf nv RcN. :. I'll. Dnxle.

s-Comment by Rev. $. III. Doyle.
rorrc-The right use of ability.--Mstt. vi.
1915.
God has not given to all men equal
ability. Some de strong, others weak;
some are rich, others poor; some are
high, others low; some have superior
intelligence, others are below the aver
age In intelligence; some morally and
spiritually are superiors and others
interiors. This being true, it becomes
very important question to those
who are blessed with special abilities,
positions or opportunities as to what
is the right way to use them. 1t is an
important question, because ability
means responsibility. God will demand
of every man an account according to
his several abilities" 1t may be
splendid thing TO be two talent or five
talent men, but those who have many
talents must account for many talents
and should study carefully how to use
them.
Ability is not to be falsely used. Salt
has the ability to preserve and to sea-
son; but If salt, by being exposed or
falsely united with foreign substances,
loses its SAVIOR it is good for nothing
but to be cast out. 1t loses its ability
to preserve or TO season and is worth
less. A false use of ability is also
ruinous to man. Thousands have been
led to ruin by misusing the special
abilities that God has given them.
The pathway of life is strewn with
the wrecks of geniuses-five talent
men. They have misused or abused
the talents that God has given them,
and God has exacted an awful penalty
from them. Let none who is blessed
with ability follow in their footsteps.
The genius is not exempt from the
laws of God. His superior ability
makes his falseness all the more cui-
pable.
Ability is not to be neglected. A can
die has lighting ability. For that rea-
SON 1t is not hidden under bushel.
where it's light would do no good, but
IS placed on a candlestick, that 1t may
give light to all in the house. God con-
dennis the neglect of ability. If He
has given ability to any one, 1t Is for
purpose, and to neglect it is as serious
as to misuse it. The man with one tai
ent, which he neglected, was condemn
ed and punished. Five talent men are
not immune from service. The greater
ability possessed the greater the crime
of neglecting it. Failure to use given
ability is absolutely inexcusable and
will certainly lead to condemnation and
punishment.
Ability is to be used for the good of
mankind and the glory of God. LET
your light so shine before men that
they may see your good works and glo-
rify your Father which is in heaven"
If we properly use the abilities which
God has given to us, we win make men
see God in our works, for all good
works are from God. Thus they viii
be led TO praise God and to consecrate
their lives TO Him. Thus our abilities
win bless our fellows and rebound to
the glory of God. If God has blessed
us with special or even humble abill-
ties, let US use them to honor Him and
to lead others to Him.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have a voluntary participation on
the topic.
BIBLE READINGS.
Prov. iv, IS; Matt. XIV. 1890; Mark
*, 80; John XIV. s, 16; Cor. tx, 1922;
Acts xiii. 44-4T; Gal. V, 10; vi, /, 2;
Heb. x. 1926; Pet. ii, IL.