Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-02-20
IAN ENDKAvok.
CO.
- pie For the Week BEGINNING Feb.
24-Con. Ont by Rev. >. II. Doy.e.

Christ for strength. Phil. w. Alb.
The Christian Endeavor topics last
year included in them a stude-of the
parallels of Christ. This year they
cover the Christian Endeavor pledge.
beginning with this topic on the first
clause, Trusting in the Lord Jesus
Christ for strength" The idea of
studying the pledge by clauses is a
good one aud should enlist the earnest
thought and interest of every Endeay-
orer. The Scrlptural basis of every
clause in the pledge should be noted
and a practical application made of
every clause TO our lives as Christians
aud as Endeavorers. The pledge is
Scriptural 1t is practical. 1t is not
impossible of fulfillment. Every duty
included in it may be performed. 1t
is not antiquated 1t is as fresh and
attractive end helpful today as it was
at its birth 20 years ago. 1t should
not be shelved nor forgotten. Chris
tian Endeavor without the pledge is
Hamlet without Hamlets 1t is the she'll
without the kernel, the bark without
the tree Take it, and it will take you
W SuilsA- Nttp II anu II WIN nttP
you in faithfulness and fidelity to
Christ
TRUSTING"
Trust is heart confidence. 1t Is not
mere intellectual belief in Christ, but a
trust of the heart In Christ. The child
trusts its parent. 1t leans upon him.
1t has confidence In him. 1t does not
al hin, 1oaS NOT
come scientifically to this position. 1t
knows him. and therefore it trusts him
with the heart rather than with the
head This is the character of Chris
tan trust. The Christian Endeavor
pledge does well to begin with Trust
ing" All Christian life and zeal be-
gin there. Trust is Scriptural. 1t is
enjoined and emphasized throughout
the Scriptures. Trust is practical We
can trust. We cannot always under
stand. but we can always trust. Trust
inspires endeavor. The man who trusts
God delights to serve God.
"IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST"
The trust of Christian Endeavor Is
not trust in self, in the Christian En-
deavor society or In the millions of En-
deavorers 1t is trust In Jesus Christ.
Trust in Christ is both Scriptural and
practical Trust in the Lord is the
keynote of the Scriptures. Paul de-
clares that be can do all things. not
by his own power. but through Christ"
The Endeavorer's trust is to be put in
Christ. Such trust alone will produce
the desired results. The Endeavorer
who trusts in himself. in the society or
in great Christian Endeavor conven-
tons will find his trust misplaced.
Christ is worthy Of our trust God
trusted Him - trusted Him with the
greatest work of the universe-and He
failed Him not. Neither will He fail
US. $50 am with ye Away, even unto
the end of the world"
'sFoR STRENGTH"
Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ
for strength The Endeavorer trusts.
He trusts Christ He trusts Christ for
strength-strength to keep ts2 Chris.
tian Endeavor pledge, strength to live
a Christian life. strength to endure
hardness, to meet adversely. This is
also Scriptural: II can do all things
through Christ who Strengthened me-
Thy grace is sufficient for thee" The
reason so many fail in keeping the
pledge in living the Christian life, In
doing Gods work in the world, Is be
cause they do not trust Christ for
strength. They try to keep the pledge
to live a Christian life in their own
strength. This is impossible. We need
Christ to strengthen us. Through His
strength alone can we do all things
But how does Christ help US? Not by
doing for us. Christ helps US by help
ing us to help ourselves. He strength
ems US with might by His Spirit in the
inner man." BY trust in Christ we re
ceive His strength. He dwells in our
heart by faith, and then We can do all
things through Him.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have a special programme, with a
prepared address ON the first clause In
the pledge.
BIBLE READINGS.
Ps. xi, II; xxxvii, 3-5; cxxi, Is; lisa.
ri, 27-31; Math. vi, 1884; John XIV,
ITO; II Cor. xii. 7-10; Pet. v, 6, Z;
John, v, Is; Rev. II, 10.