Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-11-13
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
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Tor1c. sMissions: Preaching and hearing
Rom. x, 1877.
In this familiar passage we have
Paul's argument for q worldwide ex-
tension of the gospel He makes it in
order to convince the Jews that the
gospel should be sent to the gentiles.
AS is always the case with the apostle,
his argument is wonderfully logical
and conclusive. No one should be able
20 read these verses and not be con-
WINGED of the absolute necessity of
sending the gospel TO all men. His ar
gument is, God desires that all men
shall be saved, and whatsoever shall
call upop the name of the Lord shall
be saved" but an invocation implies
faith-"Hoyv shah they call on Him In
whom they have not believedF' and
faith implies knowledge and knowledge
instruction, for ''how shall they believe
in Him of whom they have not heardg'
and instruction implies teachers, for
show shall they hear without preach
err and teachers imply mission, for
how shall they preach except they be
sentT Every link in this chain is COM
plete, and the argument leads Us to the
overwhelming conclusion that missions
and missionaries are absolutely neces-
sary for the salvation of the world.
The necessity of preaching to hearing
IS evident to ALL How shall they hear
without a preacherT They cannot.
Preaching is absolutely necessary to
hearing. Therefore If we would have
all men saved we must send preachers,
missionaries, to them. How can we as
Christians neglect or refuse to perform
the great duty of sending missionaries
to all men as far as We are able? Men
cannot hear without preachers, and
preachers cannot preach unless they are
sent. Necessity is therefore laid upon
the church to send them, and We should
cheerfully do our part.
Preaching is not only a necessity to
hearing, but is also delightful and joy
GUS. Paul suggests this fact by quot
ing the ancient prophets words, which
declare the joy which should mark the
approach of the messengers of peace
and good tidings, How beautiful are
the feet of them that preach the Cos
pei of peace and bring glad tidings Of
good things.' How joyous the day
when the sound of the gospel shall be
universally proclaimed! We should
consider it a privilege and a pleasure
to have a part in the ushering in of
such a glad day.
Preaching as a necessity to hearing
IS not to be abandoned because all
who hear do not believe. This has al
ways been the case. 1t was SO in
Isaiah's day, for the prophet asked,
who hath believed our report?" 1t
was SO in Christ's day, for Christ
"came to His own, but His own receiv-
ed Him not" We are not to be dis
appointed, therefore, if all who hear
do not believe, or argue missionary
contraction from want of success.
Failure on the part of some to believe
is rather an argument in favor Of mis-
sionary expansion. The more who
hear the more will believe and be
saved.
Preaching as a necessity to hearing
is Gods plan of extending the gospel.
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing
by the word (eommandl of God" God
commands US to preach that men may
hear. go and preach" was Christs
commission to His disciples. 1t is still
Gods commission to the church. Hear
ing by preaching and preaching by
sending is Gods plan for making ii
possible for all men to believe in Him,
and call upon Him that they may be
saved. To shirk the responsibility OF
sending the preachers is, therefore. TO
60 directly contrary to the will OF God,
which no one can afford to do.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have a special address by the pastor
on the topic.
BIBLE READINGS
Isa- lii, I: Nah. 1, 10; Matt V. II,
IL; xviii, 1920; Acts /. ella; viii, 20
DO; Kill. Is; Ky. 25, &c; Rom. i. 14-16;
TX, Is; Rev. xxi, II.