The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-01-03
FULTON COUNTY NEWS.
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.

Topic For the week BEGINNING Jan.
6~6pmment by Rev. .. II. Doyle.
TorIo~A forward look Phil. iii, 1914.
The month of January derives it's
name from Janus, an old Italian god
that had two faces pointing in oppo-
site directions. The month Is well
named, for 1t also points two ways, for
Mt the beginning of the year, while we
look forward, we also look backward.
1t Is well at times In our lives to look
both ways. Paul realized that, as we
can see from the reference which we
have before us, and at no time in life ls
1t more fitting and appropriate to fol
low Paurs example in this respect than
at the beginning of the year. Let us,
then, carefully and prayerfully take u
backward and forward look, with the
hope and prayer that the future may
be q constant Improvement upon the
past.
1. A backward look. Forgetting
those things which are behind" Paul
recalls the past and concludes that the
best thing to do is to forget it. He
was probably influenced to this decl-
sion by reason of the fact that too
much contemplation Of the past would
be Injurious TO future advancement.
The man who lives in the past makes
no progress. The man who keeps his
face toward the radiance of the setting
sun does not receive the inspiration
that comes to the one who beholds the
beauty and glory of the rising sun.
Past Qtfo ofnmnptc ora n-alI fo,nottn,,
lest they fill us with pride and self sat
isfaction and deprive us of the ambi-
ton to go forward to still greater deeds
of sacrifice and of love. Past sins and
failures are to be forgotten. Many
dwarf their present usefulness by idly
dwelling upon the failures and mis-
takes Of the past. They are gone, and
gone forever No voice can call them
back again, no cement of human device
put them together again. Let them
therefore be buried with the past, lest
they impair future usefulness, and let
our only anxiety be for that we do not
repeat them.
2. A forward look. "Reachlng forth
unto those things which are before, |
press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Je-
sus." This figure Of the runner is an
inspiring one. He looks forward. He
has the goal and the prize before him.
But he not only looks forward but he
presses forward with all his powers
and energies that he may reach the
goal and obtain the prize. SO should
every Christian and every Christian
Endeavorer. We should look forward.
"The eye must precede the foot If
our hearts are not already in heaven,
our souls cannot be travelling thither,"
But we must also press forward. A
forward look is suggestive of for
ward movement. We cannot stand
still, for that is stagnation; we dare
not turn aside, for that Is danger and
delay, and we cannot go back. for that
is treason and destruction. We must
then go forward-forward to Christ,
who Is both our goal and our prize.
Let us make a fresh start at the begin
ming of this. another new year, and let
us keep steadily on In face of all temp
tations until, like Paul we shall have
finished our course and have In view
the crown of Righteousness which is to
be our reward.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Arrange Il special New Years serv-
ice that will be fitting. A personal
conservation meeting would be most
appropriate.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps. xvii, II; cxXi, Is; Prov. iv, %
27; Math. V, 4S; vii. 21-29; Luke tx. 90;
l Cor. tx. 24-27; ii Cor. ", IS; Titus II.
Ills; Tim. iv. Z, s. Rev. Ii, 10.