Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-05-01
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
Topic For the Week BEGINNING May
5-Comment by Rev. ;. II. Doyle.

Topic For the Week BEGINNING May
5-Comment by Rev. 5. II. Doyle.
TcPIo.--Deeision OF character.-Rey. iii, 14-1e,
Prov. Nv. 1927.
Decision is one of the most admira-
BILE and necessary traits of human char
acter. 1t is defined as 'the quality of
being decided, prompt and fixed deter
mination, unwavering firmness." This
trait of character is essential to success
and happiness in any sphere of life, but
1t is peculiarly so in the religious realm.
Decision of character is absolutely es-
sential to religion. One cannot believe
and act ia accordance with his beliefs
who is not steadfast in his faith and
unwavt -ingly firm in his life. Waiver
ing is Inconsistent with religion. 1t
demands steadfastness, firmness and
stability. Decision of character re-
quires a fixed purpose and object in
life. LET thine eyes look right on, and
let thine eyelids look straight before
thee" That decision and firmness may
be exercised in life we must have
definite point in life ahead of us to-
ward which we are steering. A vessel
upon the sea could not practice stead
fastness unless it had definite, fixed
destination in view. No more can we
upon the sea of life display this virtue
unless we have fixed point before us
toward which our lives are moving.
When it comes TO life, this fixed point
should be the will of God as revealed
in Jesus Christ. The chief end of our
lives should be to glorify God, and
steadfastly and without wavering we
should bend our lives toward that end.
This has been the objective goal of the
lives of the worlds greatest men, and
they have been most successful who
have been most unfaltering in their
pursuit of this end. Ponder the path
of thy feet and let all thy ways be es-
tablished."
Decision of character demands the
power to resist temptation. Turn not
to the right hand nor to the left; re-
move thy foot from evil" No man
ever led a decided determined life
without opposition and without temp
tation. The strongest temptation is to
turn aside, but decision of character is
against turning aside as well as against
turning back. However steadfast our
characters, we will be tempted to wa
yer, to turn aside and to turn back. Sue
cess therefore depends upon the power
to resist temptation, and this power
should be prayed for and cultivated.
God can and will give us the power to
stand firm and decided amid the fierc-
est temptation if we will depend upon
Him and not trust in our own strength.
Indecision of character is injurious
men, and God Himself will punish it.
This is illustrated in the church at
Laodicea. 1t was neither cold nor hot,
neither decided for God nor decided
against God, and therefore the Lord
said, 81 will spew thee out of My
mouth" Let us believe in God, make
the will of God the end OF our exist
ence and even amid the temptations of
life be firm in faith and steadfast in
action.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have a biographical meeting, with
papers or addresses on the lives of
men who have been conspicuous for
decision of character.
BIBLE READINGS.
Elk. xxi. %, &c; Mum. xiii, 25-33;
Joshua xiv, 10; Ruth i, 1918; Kings
xviii, 81; Math. vi, "a; Luke XIV, 1920;
Acts xxi, S-14; l Cor. XIV, IS; Jas. /,
6-S